Sir David Attenborough punched the air in joy when Trump lost to Biden

Sir David Attenborough filming at Stokksnes beach in Iceland for Seven Worlds, One Planet (Credit: BBC NHU)

Sir David Attenborough has revealed he jumped out of his chair and punched the air in joy when he heard that Donald Trump had lost the US Presidential election to Joe Biden.

The 94-year-old natural historian said it was the first time he could ever remember having leaped up and cheered on his own.

Explaining to The Daily Mirror why he felt so strongly about the US election result, he said that as the most powerful country in the world, America has a huge effect on the future of climate change.

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He said: "That someone should be coming into power who recognises the importance of the ecological problems that face us – whose first statement after it became clear he was going to become the President Elect was to reinstate America’s backing of the Paris agreement... I can’t remember getting out of my seat and cheering all by myself until that moment.

“I have never done it before, even for our own elections.”

David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet was originally due to launch in April 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Silverback Films/Altitude)

In 2017, President Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, although it took until this year until they actually left.

The Paris Agreement is a legally-binding international treaty on climate change with the aim of limiting global warming.

When Biden became President Elect, he announced that one of his first actions in office would be to re-enter the agreement.

Attenborough has also said he intends to have the COVID vaccine as soon as possible.

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Asked by The Telegraph whether he would consider using his celebrity status to jump the queue, he said: “At 94, I think I’m entitled.”

He added of the vaccine: “I’m sufficient of a scientist still, I hope, to realise this is the thing to do.”

The nature broadcaster said that the coronavirus pandemic had renewed his enthusiasm for the fight against climate change.

He explained: “The virus has made us feel we are more vulnerable, and vulnerable to what is happening to the world. It has drawn attention to the fact we aren’t as omnipotent and all-controlling as we think we are.”

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