Chris Packham, the TV naturalist, has faced a decline in biodiversity, death threats, and even had a bomb go off outside his New Forest home. The attack was a result of his outspoken campaign against the illegal persecution of birds of prey and wider destruction of the UK’s wildlife. Packham has credited his relentless search for positive potential in our wildlife with his success, which includes hosting Springwatch. Despite his success, he has refused to be seen as “the new Attenborough” and is keen to pass the baton to the next generation.
The threats made against him have made Packham more determined to ensure that young people have a voice when confronting the climate crisis. Speaking about 24-year-old Fabian Harrison, who approached Packham and asked what he was doing about social media activism, Packham handed over his mobile phone and let him take control of his social media. Harrison went on to work on Self-Isolating Bird Club and 8 Out Of 10 Bats. Packham is pleased to have given Harrison his first platform and says that “young people don’t just need to be ‘given a voice’ – which is a rather patronising attitude: they need to be trusted to do things.”
Packham’s first brush with a form of “activism” was as a teenager when punk arrived on the scene. Punk gave him the ability to have an ‘I don’t care’ attitude which allowed him to embrace his awkward nature and ultimately break through the social isolation he had experienced in childhood. Packham credits his punk-era with helping him get through a zoology degree, training as a wildlife camera operator and ultimately presenting.
Packham’s success, however, has not changed his awkwardness and unease in social situations. During a 90-minute chat at his home, Packham mostly stared ahead, occasionally glancing sideways. He has said he often struggles with the social side of presenting, but finds it more comfortable to talk to a machine than to a human. Despite his unease, he has continued to make inroads in the television industry and has used his platform to push the climate agenda forward in the hopes of inspiring the next generation to action
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