The world’s most famous natural historian, Sir David Attenborough, has criticised Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s lack of action against climate change and his support for new coal mines.

Attenborough said Australia is the keeper of “an extraordinary section of the surface of this planet” and what the government says and does “really, really, matters”.

“The world is sick, we really have to do things about it… and there’s no more time for argument,” he said.