Journey to Planet Earth - Season 1

10 episodes

Episodes

1. Rivers of Destiny

Looks at the dangers (pollution, over fishing, loss of wetlands) threatening four of the world's major river systems — the Mississippi, the Amazon, the Jordan and the Mekong. Teaching Topics include flood control, deforestation, over-fishing, Middle East politics, water pollution and loss of wetlands.

2. The Urban Explosion

Examines the problems confronting four of the world's mega-cities — New York City, Mexico City, Istanbul, and Shanghai. Teaching Topics include air and water pollution, water shortages, population growth, public transport, urban sprawl and environmental racism.

3. Land of Plenty, Land of Want

Visits diverse farming communities in Zimbabwe, France, the United States and China to examine the worldwide problems of feeding a growing population.

4. Seas of Grass

Discover the natural vegetation of nearly one-quarter of Earth's land surface, grasslands, in Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, China and the United States. Teaching Topics include livestock grazing, reduction in species diversity, and conversion of grassland to farmland or desert.

5. Hot Zones

Shows how human health is dependent on that of the environment in Kenya, Peru, Bangladesh and the United States. Teaching Topics include deforestation, climate change, uncontrolled development.

6. On the Brink

Investigates the connection between environmental issues and political crises and increased hostilities in India/Bangladesh, South Africa, Peru, Haiti, Mexico and the United States. Teaching Topics include deforestation, soil erosion, water and air pollution, refuge populations and global climate change.

7. Future Conditional

Explore how toxic pollutants affect environmental and human health in the arctic, USA, Mexico and Uzbekistan. Teaching Topics include global trade, airborne and groundwater pollution, land and water use and global climate change.

8. State of the Planet

Discover the elegance of diversity and the rich tapestry of the natural world—a world shaped by people, by those who are strongly tied to the land and who draw from its bounty.

9. State of the Planet's Wildlife

Investigate what scientists call "the sixth great extinction of the world's animals" and what we are doing to stop it.

10. State of the Ocean's Animals

Investigate why so many of our ocean's animals are disappearing. Case studies focus on global issues including climate change, sea-level rise, over-fishing, and habitat destruction.