Tony Juniper on parrots, princes and environmental protection

About this episode

Tony Juniper discusses his career in environmentalism and his passion for nature with Jim Al-Khalili.

Tony Juniper is an environmentalist who has worn many hats, over the course of his career. After developing a passion for birds in childhood, his first job saw him working to save endangered parrots - including a successful effort to bring back the Spix's macaw from the edge of extinction. Tony went on to hold leading campaigning roles with some of the world's best known environmental organisations, from Friends of The Earth to the World Wildlife Fund. He also acted as an advisor to King Charles's International Sustainability Unit and co-authored three books with the monarch. Today, Tony has swapped lobbying and campaigning for advising the government, as head of the advisory body Natural England: not without its challenges, but he says they are still outweighed by the positives. Talking to Professor Jim Al-Khalili about his enduring love for nature and hopes for the future, Tony explains his optimism that we can and will recognise the urgent need to protect and restore our planet; and why ultimately, that means saving ourselves. Presented by Jim Al-Khalili Produced by Lucy Taylor for BBC Studios

People in this episode

Host: Jim Al-Khalili

Guest: Tony Juniper

Topics covered

• environmental protection
• endangered species
• sustainability
• nature conservation
• government advisory

Keywords

• Tony Juniper
• environmentalist
• parrots
• sustainability
• Natural England
• King Charles
• conservation
• Spix's macaw

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Friends of The Earth, World Wildlife Fund, Natural England

Books & works: Spix's macaw

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