The Planet
This outstanding documentary series outlines the challenges faced by humanity in the grip of global environmental change, making a strong case for mankind's own contribution to this life threatening problem. Not limited to climate change, The Planet examines global changes brought about by overpopulation, the destruction of plants and animals, levels of consumption, growing economies and industrialized farming. Swedish filmmakers Michael Stenberg, Linus Torell, Johan Söderberg take this serious material to the next level, using unconventional aerial photography, archived instructional films and a thriving soundtrack to bring a scientific subject into the realm of artistic, contemporary documentary. Environmental experts interviewed for the series include Pulitzer Prize and National Medal of Science winner Jared Diamond ("Guns, Germs and Steel"), author and Stanford professor Gretchen Daily, Herman Daly, Will Steffen, George Monbiot, Norman Myers and Lester Brown.

Part 4: Choices and Consequences
The final episode of The Planet hypothesizes about the future, and what we can do to stop the pending disaster that will come with drastic global change. Many people still believe that the earth is just going through a phase, unaffected by our actions. But in reality, time is running out.

What might the future look like? Star Trek – where technology is used to make nature obsolete? A Mad Max-like struggle for survival? An ecotopia, where we scale down our individual environmental footprints? Or a new kind of world, where a global government sets the regulations? Change is around the corner, one way or another, and how we act now will dictate what life is like in the future, both for us and for our children.

Visit our pages for The Planet Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

LEARN MORE:

Read Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech

Visit the distributor, Svensk Filmindustri
Read bios of the filmmakers Michael Stenberg, Linus Torell, Johan Söderberg
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.

The League of Conservation Voters
WorldWater Council - a network of public and private sector organization with a stake in water issues. They are responsible for the World Water Forum.
Unesco's water portal
Food & Water Watch challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and by transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink.

Read Grist’s review of Kim Stanely Robinson’s latest book.

Read about environmental innovators and ideas at WorldChanging.com.