Pandemic has made us value our perfect planet and find support from nature, says Attenborough

"I'm not sure we can go on finding new things to say and new ways to say it, but in last 60 years, every year there has been a major technical improvement to tell the story in a new way and effectively turn it into a new story," he said, citing the example of stunning drone photography of flamingos on Lake Natron in Tanzania in the opening episode about volcanoes.

Series producer Huw Cordey said the timing of the series, having been made just before the pandemic broke out, but being shown as it hopefully begins its retreat, made its message all the more appropriate.

"The pandemic has exposed us to our vulnerability, but during it, I think a lot of people have rediscovered or discovered for the first time the natural world around them," he said.

"So really there's no better time to show the audience how the world works and how it could work in the future, if we harness these forces that have shaped life from the beginning of the planet's history.