Obama discusses future of planet with Attenborough

US President Barack Obama has met David Attenborough at the White House to ask for advice on protecting the future of the planet.

The interview, recorded in May on the naturalist’s 89th birthday, is set to air on BBC One tomorrow at 10.30pm.

Obama tells Attenborough he is a big fan and invited him to Washington to discuss climate change and ask what he believes are the biggest threats to the environment.

“We’re not moving as fast as we need to and part of what I know from watching your programmes, and all the great work you’ve done, is that these ecosystems are all interconnected.”

Attenborough tells Obama: “I think what’s required is an understanding and a gut feeling that the natural world is part of your inheritance. This is the only planet we’ve got and we’ve got to protect it.”

Attenborough said of the meeting: “On my 89th birthday it was to my considerable surprise to find myself in a place that I’ve never been to before... to visit the White House with the President of the United States. He was friendly, hospitable, and genuine.”