CELEBRITY INTERVIEW
Q. Is manmade climate change the biggest threat? So many issues are contributing to the threat to the Barrier Reef, but the impact climate change will have, and is having, is detrimental. I worked closely with coral scientists, studying the effects of rising water temperatures – and a rise of just two degrees means most of the life there will fail to survive. Climate change is having a drastic effect on the planet as a whole, but the effects on the reef are catastrophic.
Q. Is tourism to the Great Barrier Reef a positive thing? It is – but we have to be careful. Ecological tourism has to be carefully managed. Done well, it can transform conservation projects, preserve species and push poachers to different parts; the Ugandan rhino project is a good example of this. But like anything, there is always a line that needs to be drawn, because if tourism is allowed to take over an area, there is obviously the threat of our footprint being harmful. For the most part, the Great
Barrier Reef has it right – about two million people are allowed there each year and that is probably enough. It is well marshalled. Ultimately, I know, as people who make television programmes, we are partly to blame. We do realise that people want to experience what they see on their screens, which is fair enough. We all want to share in the majesty of the natural world. I guess it’s just a case of making sure we do it with respect for the wildlife that has lived there for tens of thousands of years.
Q. Does your love of the reef extend to mainland Australia? It’s a wonderful country. It has everything for the tourist: beautiful seas; incredible cities; wonderful, funny people; and wildernesses of desert and rainforest that seem completely at odds with each other, but live side by side. It is an incredibly unique place.
Q. Is there anywhere that compares to the Great Barrier Reef? If I had to pick somewhere, I’d say
the Galapagos Islands. They, for me, are the two places on Earth that you arrive at and realise you are in the presence of somewhere utterly unique. They are places that put human life into context. We think we are the most important of everything, but these destinations do not play to those rules… the natural world is in charge!
Q. Where is left on the planet that you wish to explore? There’s nowhere that remains a great ambition. I wouldn’t ever dare say I’ve seen it all, but I’ve seen a lot! Home is where I spend my time, if I get the opportunity. I always want to travel, but I’m at the age now where I need a plan. In fact, I think I’ve always been like that. I need certain assurances at my age and knowing there’s a good meal waiting for me at the end of a long day is one of them!
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36 ASPIRE FEBRUARY 2019
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CREDITS: UKTV/JONATHAN FORD; ADAM SCOTT; SHUTTERSTOCK
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