My Planet in Peril notes
Overall, I really loved the documentary. It was quite an extraordinary undertaking. They did a great job at flowing from one story to another, underlining the fact that these issues are all truly tied in together. Visually it was gorgeous, the ripple effects on the globe images were effective and striking.
To be honest, not much surprises me about this, I've been hearing about this my whole life, but I was amazed by how much actually did surprise me. First was how much of this was based on what's happening now, not what may happen at some point in the future. This of course makes this documentary necessary, extraordinary and very sad.
Another thing that surprised me was the story of the grey wolves in Yosemite. While I have always loved animals and have never taken the loss of any species lightly, I can honestly say that I never really understood how much a single loss could mean. Showing this in reverse really highlights how much the wolves mean to Yosemite's ecosystem.
Planet in Peril went to 13 countries in 4 continents and covered four primary areas:
Bangkok - species loss
Rare and endangered animal black market - JJ market - Bangkok at first glance not much different than most weekend markets, but hidden out of plain site are endangered species for sale.
Anderson and Jeff go with the local police and those helping them to investigate the market.
According to the UN - environmental program, now losing 18 - 50,000 of species of plants and animals, up to 1,000 times the natural rate of extinction.
Anderson, "US Customs estimates 90% of the animals smuggled into America die before reaching their final destination."
Madagascar - species loss and deforestation
- 90% of the wildlife can be found nowhere else
- only 10% of the natural habitat remain
Jeff goes with Conservation International's, Russ Vidimeyer, to find animals on the brink of extinction, especially the Indri Lemur.
Many of the species in Madagascar not only exist only in Madagascar, but can only exist there.
The animals there are really amazing. The way they can disguise themselves. The lemurs are beautiful. It was wonderful to see the black Sifaka Lemur, a rare species indeed.
What's amazing is that new species are still being discovered.
Jeff, "Scientists think we are right now in what they call the 6th great spasm of extinction in earth's history. In the past ice ages, comets, natural events led to the extinction of species. This time though man is solely to blame."
Yellowstone National Park - Grey Wolves reintroduction - species loss (in reverse)
My favorite story and one of the few that really surprised me.
Anderson went with Doug Smith to find and record the wolves. They are amazing, their beauty and the mystery that surround them has always fascinated me.
Side note: "Wolves at our Door" (http://shopping.discovery.com/product-11760.html) and "Living with Wolves" (http://shopping.discovery.com/product-58210.html) are two wonderful shows done by the Animal Planet.
Anderson, "Sometimes it's hard to see the impact the loss of one species can have on an entire ecosystem. In order to demonstrate it you sometimes have to look at the reverse. What happens when one species is reintroduced to an ecosystem."
Cambodia - Bokor National park and Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center - species loss
Anderson and Jeff went to see how poachers capture wild animals. They follow the search for what might be the last wild tiger in the park. During the hour or so they spend in the park they follow the trails that poachers often use and find more than a dozen snares put in place to catch the animals. At first glimpse the snares don't look all that menacing, at least compared to some types of clamp traps that are often used in hunting. However, the animals caught in these snares are extremely frightened and out of desperation and fear, and because of their own strength, can cause extreme damage to themselves in an effort to free themselves.
Anderson, "Every wild tiger in the world is critically important. Like the wolf in Yellowstone, its presence alters the behavior of an entire ecosystem. The World Wildlife Fund says there are only about 5,000 wild tigers left in the world."
They then visit the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center in central Cambodia. Some of the animals hurt by the snares on Bokor end up here for treatment and hopefully reintroduction into the wild when possible.
It was fun to watch Anderson and Jeff play with the elephants, and I'm glad Jeff's ok. :) The sun bears are adorable. Anderson and crew had the opportunity for some amazing experiences. Sitting and petting sun bears, just as you would your family pet, would be high on my list. And Jeff's reaction to the bears biting him playfully was precious. :)
Anderson, "Wildlife Alliance says that there are only two to three hundred Asian Elephants left in the wild in Cambodia. Scientists call them a keystone species because their behavior, like the tigers and wolves, impacts an entire ecosystem."
China - species loss, overpopulation and climate change
Sunjay started with the trade and consumption of exotic and endangered species. Some illegal.
Sunjay, "The Chinese like their exotic wildlife. Its used in traditional medicine and served as a delicacy. Some of the animals are extremely rare and endangered. Others are more common. In either case the appetite is enormous. A population of 1.3 billion people has made China a vacuum for the world's wildlife."
Personally, I readily admit that I am way to picky when it comes to food, I am a wuss, I know this. That being said I have to believe that I am not the only one that gets a bit nauseous at some of the "eclectic" offerings they have there, illegal or not. Their fascination with a certain appendage is something I don't understand, they're certainly not on any menu I've ever seen.
The bear story completely broke my heart, how anyone could put any living thing through something so cruel is beyond me.
Sunjay, "The market for exotic and endangered species is simply a matter of supply and demand. But it's a problem made worse when the number of animal species continues to decline and our own species, mankind, continues to grow at such a staggering pace. In fact our population has grown by more than 400% over the last hundred years and that translates into a breathtaking consumption of just about every natural resource this planet has to offer. And there are no signs of slowing down. According to a United Nations report, by the year 2050 there will be 9.1 billion human beings on earth. That's nearly 50% more than today. It's not that there isn't enough physical space for that many people, there simply aren't enough natural resources on this planet to support every one. Already, scientists say we're consuming 30% more each year than the natural world can regenerate."
He next moved on to the story about the intense pollution and danger health risks associated with many of the water sources. This was a hard story to watch and I'm sure a very difficult to tell, especially for a physician. I know I've taken for granted the fact that I can, at any time, go into my kitchen, turn on the faucet and get clean water. Something everyone should be able to take for granted, but that's definitely not the case for many all over the world.
The pollution is staggering. And is creating what is known as cancer villages. What's worse is that these villages are in areas where few have access to medical care or screenings. The whole thing is even more incredible when you add the fact that at least some of these problems could have been avoidable simply be adding treatment facilities to prevent the water from becoming so toxic.
I also found it interesting how some of the people there seem to want to act like it's not happening, or at least don't want it reported or known. Pride... the deadliest of the deadly sins.
US - climate change
Anderson, bravely I must say as I'm not sure I'd want to know, participates in a body burden test. These tests use 120 ccs of blood to test for about 250 industrial chemicals. It's amazing how many chemicals we get exposed to on a regular basis and how easily the get into our bodies.
The doctor was not very reassuring. Anderson was clearly nervous when he got his results and the doctor was not helping him feel any better. Amazing what Anderson will do to get the point across... anyone remember the sleep clinic? :)
Greenland's Ice Sheet, Swiss Camp - climate change
Anderson and Jeff go to Greenland's Ice Sheet. It's 1,500 miles long and more than a mile deep, 80% covered with ice. They've come to investigate the effects that our planet's rising temperatures are having on the ice sheet and what it means to be loosing so much of it.
Anderson, "Last year satellite data, collected by NASA scientists, revealed Greenland is losing a 100 Billion tons of ice each year. Ice does accumulate in the interior, but more ice is breaking off and melting at the edges. Its that imbalance which concern scientists the most. If the entire ice sheet dissolved, sea levels would rise by 23 feet. Spurning a global catastrophe that would flood coastal cities and displace tens of millions of people. Scientists don't think the entire ice sheet could melt anytime soon, but every inch of sea level rise counts. Millions live near coastlines less than 3 feet above sea level."
If for no other reason, it's worth watching Anderson propelling himself down into a hole in the ice. Let's just say he was a bit hesitant.... what he won't do to get a story. :) What the ****?
Anderson then went with Dennis Schmidt to see a new island that has been created by the melting of the ice, that's one small step for man.
The living conditions on Swiss Camp are really incredible, a shigloo, the image in my head is very clear, thank you Anderson. You really have to appreciate and admire their dedication and passion for what they do.
Northeastern Alaska - species loss and climate change
Jeff arrives to investigate how the warming planet is effecting the polar bear. The polar bears were absolutely adorable! The cubs especially were so sweet.
Polar bears are being researched here because, as the top predator in the area, they are the best way to monitor the health of the arctic ecosystem. The warming waters are making it harder for the polar bears to catch food due to the widening of the gap between coastline and ice.
Jeff, "The sea ice is melting. Melting faster than anyone expected. University of Colorado researchers say that in 2007 the Arctic Ocean lost one million square miles of sea ice. That's roughly 6 times the size of the state of California. It is a record rate of decline. Sea ice loss has now surpassed predictions for the year 2050."
Side note: Anderson was supposed to be here as well, but according to him, for the first time he actually missed a flight. Pretty impressive for someone who's frequent flier miles probably rivals the gross national product of some small countries.
Carteret Islands - climate change
Sunjay is investigating why the islands are sinking.
This was one of the most surprising stories to me. A small rise in sea levels may seem insignificant to most of us, but for millions of people, it could mean the difference between having a home and not.
The islands are only a maximum of 5 feet above sea level and their coastlines are receding. While the rising sea levels may or may not be the primary reason for this, it certainly isn't helping. These islands are basically disappearing and along with them, the homes of the 2,000 people who live there.
Lake Chad - climate change
Lake used to be the 6th largest lake in the world, more than 10,000 square miles, but it has shrunk by 90% in the past 40 years. 90 percent, that's a staggering amount. Imagine the Mississippi River or Lake Superior disappearing. The people whose lives and livelihood rely on this lake are losing an extremely vital resource.
While climate change may not bear the sole responsibility, it is certainly a factor. Again, here you have a situation where those not, or hardly, contributing to global warming are among the first to truly feel the effects. Climate change is not just hypothetical for them, it is right at their door.
Sunjay, "Ironically, Africa is the lowest carbon emitter in the world, yet due to its dry climate, scientists say it's the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change."
Next up... politics, science and the what/who's to blame question.
Personally I think there a lot of factors, many man-made yes, but others natural, that have contributed to the peril our planet is now in. However, there is one overall factor I see and that is the apathy or resignation most people feel. Most of us either don't believe, don't care or simply think the problem is just too big there's nothing we as individual's can do. After all in the grand scheme of things what difference does it really make if I recycle a soda can. I think this is the one criticism I have for this documentary. They've done an amazing job at showing what's really happening, in honest, not over dramatized nor minimized, just honest (raw) data. The one thing they missed is once you raise awareness, once you get people asking, "ok, so how can I help?" you need to answer that question. There are a lot of resources available for individuals who want to help in either big or small ways, but this wasn't readily available. I've listed some info and resources below, but there's a lot more out there especially on the local level. Gotta love Google.
Overall, I guess my question is this: does it really matter who or what's to blame? The fact is it's happening, regardless of why, and while scientists and politicians argue and blame, the problem continues to get worse. Case in point, this is the first documentary I've seen that actually shows something that's happening today, as opposed to a hypothetical forecast. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that there actually are things happening now, documentaries have not always been able to point to concrete examples. Unfortunately as the problems continue to grow, this becomes more and more possible.
Amazon Rainforest - climate change, deforestation
Easily the most talked about issue when it comes to global warming.
The Amazon Rainforest has become one of the largest emitters of green house gases. The carbon naturally stored in trees is released when they're cut down, and with 20% of the rainforest lost in the last 40 years, it's easy to see why.
Anderson and Jeff are here to cover the destruction of the rainforest. They first travel with IBAMA (Brazil's environmental protection agency) agents. They are working hard to stop the various groups destroying the forest as well as it's wildlife, poachers, ranchers, loggers and farmers. The existence of the rainforest is invaluable to the health of our planet and it's inhabitants, but whether through denial or ignorance, groups and individuals continue to destroy it.
Anderson then reports on Dorothy Stang. A nun who started a sustainable development program, teaching locals how to live off the forest while preserving it at the same time. While working with the locals, she also fought against the ranching and logging companies destroying and encroaching on their land. In February 2005 she was murdered by two men hired to kill her.
Anderson and Jeff then visit the Kraho Indians. At a ceremony welcoming them they are given local names and tribal markings. Jeff is "Running Deer" and Anderson is "Regal Bird", personally I think they are spot-on! They live in land that is supposed to be protected, but there is little protection from law enforcement to stop it, leaving them on their own to protect it.
Manchester, TX - climate change
A very sad story! The only issue I have with this is calling it racism, it isn't about race, it's about poverty. The neighborhoods built around these industrial areas are always much less expensive, and therefore low-income families live there, regardless of their race. Of course, the fact that a majority of the low-income families are a race other white makes the outcome the same, I just prefer to put the blame where it truly belongs, the huge economic divide. If the pollutants that a plant is going to be putting in the air is going to make the air unsafe for the 2 square miles around it, then the plant should have to pay for that land as well, and render it unhabitable. They may work a little harder at lessening the harm their causing if they had to pay the cost of it.
Anderson introduces us to Valentine Maraquin (not sure if I'm spelling his name right), an adorable and brave six-year old diagnosed with Leukemia, most likely caused by the carcinogen's put into the air by the Houston Ship Channel, the largest petrochemical complex in America. This story was truly heart-breaking, but unfortunately not all together new. I've heard various different stories over the years of people, especially children, in neighborhoods in industrial areas having a much higher rate of health problems, often cancer. The pollutants constantly put in the air that they breathe is frightening.
Conclusion
Anderson very nicely sums up the lessons learned from this year-long journey. As he says, "Nothing happens in a vacuum."
Resources
Important note: I have not had a chance to look over these site, these came from a quick Google search. Feel free to let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions.