Sir David Attenborough has generously donated more than 1,000 copies of his new book about oceans to school libraries to celebrate his 99th birthday today and encourage the next generation of young naturalists. Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness, co-written with long-time collaborator Colin Butfield and published today, is the story of our last great, critical wilderness which shapes the land we live on, regulates our climate and helps create the air we breathe.
“Access to books is one of the most influential elements of childhood,” said Sir David. “When writing Ocean we had in our minds that, whilst it is not a children’s book, it should be one a secondary school pupil interested in the natural world might be able to read and enjoy. Having copies in 1,000 school libraries will give a great number of young people who otherwise may not see the book, the opportunity to read about the wonders of our ocean.”
Educating and inspiring the next generation on the importance of the oceans is a key message of Sir David’s new book. It reveals that the ocean is the part of our world that can, and in some cases has, recovered the fastest, and in our lifetimes we could see a fully restored marine world, even richer and more spectacular than we could possibly hope, if we act now to protect it.
As the book explains: “Young children playing on a beach today will live through perhaps the most consequential time for the human species in the last 10,000 years. By the time they reach middle age they will have witnessed whether we stall climate change or allow it to engulf us; whether we restore the natural world or fundamentally destabilise it; whether the ocean remains our ally or becomes our foe.”
Sir David’s publisher, John Murray Press, has collaborated with The Reading Agency and The Worldwide Fund for Nature to donate the books. It will also be providing schools and libraries with a comprehensive resources pack.
“In our digital age it would be easy to underestimate the importance of a school library,” said Colin Butfield. “Yet is a vital place to learn research skills, discover new ideas and get that spark of inspiration which may end up shaping a young persons future.
“We are delighted that John Murray has donated 1,000 copies of Ocean to school libraries. It’s a wonderful thought to imagine that in a few years time someone who picked up our book in their school library could be researching coral reefs, campaigning to protect the ocean or mounting expeditions to understand the deep sea.”
Jon Turner, Head of Education and Families at WWF-UK, said: “I remember the first time I picked up a book from Sir David Attenborough and how his passion and excitement for the natural world acts as a powerful inspiration for young people. By bringing this book and our special Live Lessons to young people for World Oceans Day, I hope we can ignite in them a lifelong passion for the ocean and conservation.”
Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency, added: “We are thrilled to partner with John Murray Press and WWF on this brilliant giveaway. At The Reading Agency, we believe deeply in the transformative power of reading to inspire action, and Sir David’s profound understanding of our natural world does exactly that. By helping to distribute these books to libraries and schools across the country, we’re not just sharing knowledge, we’re nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.”