PBS

Climate Change - The Facts

Premiered April 2020

Scientists explore the impact of climate change and what could happen if global warming exceeds 1.5 degrees. Discover how the latest innovations and technology are posing potential solutions and what individuals can do to prevent further damage.

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The Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife

Take a deeper look at this new documentary film as host Sir David Attenborough takes us through one of the globe’s most pressing issues, our changing climate.

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About the Show

"Climate Change - The Facts" brings together leading climate scientists who explain what might happen if global warming increases 1.5 degrees. Experts examine the consequences of rising temperatures on ice sheets, fragile ecosystems, developing communities and extreme weather events. Personal accounts of California wildfires, extreme coastal flooding in Louisiana and increasing temperatures in Australia paint vivid pictures of these devastating effects.

“In the 20 years since I first started talking about the impact of climate change on our world, conditions have changed far faster than I ever imagined,” Sir David Attenborough said. “It may sound frightening, but the scientific evidence is that if we have not taken dramatic action within the next decade, we could face irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies. We’re running out of time, but there is still hope.”

The show warns of potential tipping points that could trigger further catastrophic events, such as methane gas escaping from melting lakes in the arctic. While these scenarios are discouraging, the show also inspires individuals to take action and make a difference. Experts offer hope that changes can be made in the next decade to reduce CO2 emissions and limit further damage. These include increased advocacy, advances in alternative energy technologies and innovative solutions to capture existing carbon dioxide.

Researchers from around the world provide global context to the crisis in "Climate Change - The Facts." Featured experts include Dr. James Hansen, former Director of NASA Goddard Institute for Science Studies; Professor Naomi Oreskes, Science Historian at Harvard University; Professor Michael Mann, Climate Scientist at Penn State University; Richard Black, Director of the UK Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit; Professor Andrew Shepherd, Climate Scientist at The University of Leeds, Sunita Narain, Director General of India’s Centre for Science and Environment; and Greta Thunberg, Swedish teenage climate advocate and Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

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