Legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has delivered a deeply moving message ahead of his 99th birthday, openly acknowledging that he is “nearing the end of his life.” In his upcoming Disney+ documentary Ocean with David Attenborough, set to release later this year, he reflects on nearly a century spent exploring and sharing the wonders of our planet.

In the film, Attenborough recalls his boyhood wonder when he first saw the sea: “When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity. Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true. After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.”

He reflects on the damage inflicted upon the oceans but offers a note of hope: “The ocean can bounce back to life. If we save the sea, we save our world.” The documentary features emotional footage of Attenborough revisiting the Great Barrier Reef, where he made his first scuba dive in 1957, a moment that helped shape his lifelong passion for nature.

Though he warns that “we are almost out of time,” Sir David remains cautiously optimistic, calling for stronger marine protections and urgent global action to allow the oceans to recover. Over decades, his work has played a central role in raising awareness of climate change, biodiversity loss, and species conservation.

In an earlier interview, Attenborough reflected on aging, admitting that he sometimes struggles to find words or forgets names. Yet, at 98, he finds comfort in the lasting impact of his work: “The world would be in a far, far worse situation now had there been no broadcasting of natural history.” His legacy lies not only in what he has seen but in what he has inspired the world to protect.