World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on 3 March to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife and biodiversity. The day was established by the United Nations in 2013 to commemorate the 1973 signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Every year has a different theme, and this year’s is ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.’ The purpose of this is to examine the ways we can collaborate in funding wildlife conservation more efficiently and sustainably, while creating a resilient future for both people and the planet. The Secretary-General of CITES, Ivonne Higuero, said: “World Wildlife Day 2025 will serve as a platform for exchange and exploration of innovative financial solutions for wildlife conservation. It will showcase financial innovations, the challenges faced by civil society, governments, organisations, and the private sector, and the collaborative approaches needed to ensure sustainable funding for biodiversity.”

The need for informing people of the precarious climate change system is even more prevalent than before. Leading the way in many respects is broadcaster, naturalist, wildlife presenter, and conservationist Steve Backshall. His work extends beyond the television screen: as an author, environmental advocate, and adventurer dedicated to educate and ultimately protect the planet’s rich biodiversity. He reveals a snapshot into his thrilling expeditions and passion for the natural world through reflecting on his travels to some of the most remote and dangerous environments on Earth.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career as a naturalist and as a successful TV wildlife presenter?

Initially I just wanted to go on great adventures to far-flung parts of the world, seeing all the wildlife I’d only dreamed of since I was a kid. But then when the programs started taking off with young people, and I started to meet those youngsters in their tens of thousands, it became a responsibility. I had the opportunity, through the media, to make the world of nature, conservation, and wildlife both accessible and appetizing to millions around the world… it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. 

2. How do you think digital innovation and emerging technologies can influence wildlife conservation efforts?

I started in the industry by going out (in the 1990s) and making my own adventure films, which I then sold to National Geographic. Nowadays, young people can shortcut all that and just make content on their phones, which can be posted unfiltered to the planet. This may not always be a positive thing, but when it comes to conservation messaging, it’s an opportunity we have to grasp. I’m often astounded at how behind the curve conventional media and conservation can be. In these entirely new ways of telling a story… the onus is on us now to learn the language of digital media, because it offers boundless opportunities. 

3. As many habitats and species are under threat from the effects of climate change, how can we help to prevent this?

That’s a huge question, and one I battle with everyday. I cannot solve climate change – I can, however, address my own impact and help others understand how they can do the same. Perhaps most important though, in this weird world of obfuscation, lies, and half-truths, is that we become the voices young people can trust. That we amplify the factual evidence, don’t allow the nonsense to fester and be the voice of reason and the scientific method. 

To do that, we need to stay informed, and keep asking ourselves big questions like this.