On 11th December 2019, the internet was abuzz with the news of the death of one of Britain’s most beloved botanist and television presenters, David Bellamy. Although he was 86 years old at the time of his death, he had actively worked for the environment throughout his life. He was the author of 45 books, host of countless TV and radio shows, and he also played a major role in establishing many conservationist ventures like Durham Wildlife Trust. Bellamy’s death came almost a year after the death of his wife, Rosemary Froy, with whom he was married for almost sixty years. Let us take a brief look at the life and achievements of this great environmentalist.
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The Life of David Bellamy
Born in London into a Baptist family in 1933, David Bellamy had a rough childhood. He suffered from acute nephritis and pneumonia at a very young age. But he survived not only the diseases but the second world war too, which had engulfed Europe through most of Bellamy’s pre-teen years. Maybe because of this tough upbringing, Bellamy retained a strong catholic faith throughout his life.
After obtaining a PhD at Belford College of the London University in 1957, he started working as a lecturer at Durham University, and stayed there till he was discovered by BBC in 1967. There he got the opportunity of being the presenter of the programmed titled Life in Our Sea (1970). This would be the start of a long journey for Bellamy who presented more than 400 TV series in his lifetime. With his white beard and hair, and enthusiastic persona, by the 80s he was almost a household name.
However, all this didn’t make Bellamy give up on his academic career. Even after becoming famous, he worked as a senior lecturer in Durham university and later became professor in Nottingham University. In addition, was also an honorary professor at University of Central Queensland in 1999.
Because of his genuine views and convictions, David Bellamy was always a trendsetter and is credited for influencing a whole generation of scientists and environmentalists.
Some other famous environmentalists who died recently
1. Rajendra K. Pachauri
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On 13th February 2020 the famed Indian environmentalist Rajendra Pachauri passed away from a heart attack following a recent heart surgery. He was 79-year-old at the time of his death.
Pachauri is famed for being the chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change at the time when it shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with former US president Al Gore. Pachauri was the chairman of IPCC from 2002 till 2015 when he had to resign from his post following allegations of sexual harassment. Apart from that, he also served as the Chairman and Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute.
2. Paolo Paulino Guajajara
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One of the members of the conservationist organization Guardians of the Forest, Paulino Guajajara was brutally murdered by Brazilian lodgers on 11 November 2019. He was the 3rd member of the organization to serve this fate, and also one of the countless Guajajara who died saving their lands and forests from exploitation. With 20 confirmed deaths in 2018, Brazil has proved to be one of the worst places in the world for environmentalists. Countries like that make us wonder whether our favorite environmentalists have passed away or are still alive.
3. G. D. Agarwal
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Agarwal was Indian monk and environmental activist, who was famous for employing non-violent methods to prevent the exploitation of the environment. He successfully prevented many projects related to the holy river Ganga by going on a fast. However, in 2018, he went on an indefinite fast asking the Indian government to act on its promises to save Ganga. Not satisfied by the response of the government, Agarwal didn’t stop fasting, and finally died of starvation on 11th October 2019 after fasting for more than 110 days.
Article Submitted By Community Writer