| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (58 min. 20 sec.) ; 351600033 bytes |
| Summary |
Presented by Professor Iain Stewart we've seen how the fate of past civilisations have been shaped by the planet's natural forces. However, in the final episode of this spellbinding series, the good professor says our relationship with the planet today is a different one.We are now a force to rival the Earth's natural forces and the ultimate test will be how well we use that power. The Earth has immense power. And for most of human history it has dominated us. So far in this series we've seen how the forces of the planet: the deep earth, wind, fire and water have all had major impact on human history.But now the relationship between us and the planet is changing. We're no longer at its mercy. We have now become a major planetary force. The fundamental elements of our planet have helped shape human history but now we ourselves are a force of nature to be reckoned with.Even in the wildest corners of the Earth, we can't escape our human influence.The question is what does that mean for our future? Human progress has been defined by our ability to find ever more inventive ways of exploiting the planet's natural systems. Our impact on the planet is felt not just in what we transform but also in what that transformation leaves behind.Up until now the effects of our impact on the planet whether good or bad have been accidental and unintended. We never set out to create these changes. Science has given us an understanding of how the planet works that allows us to protect ourselves against Earth's unpredictable nature. But today we are on the brink of a new era. We can now take control of our impact on the planet's natural processes and maintain the conditions for civilisation to flourish. But it's a big challenge and involves global cooperation. PRODUCTION DETAILSBBC Worldwide. Series Producer: Jonathan Renouf; Executive Producer: John Lynch |
| Event |
Broadcast 2011-04-05 at 20:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: G |
| Subject |
Earth sciences.
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Ecosystem management.
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Geology -- Study and teaching.
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Historical geology.
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Human beings -- Effect of environment on.
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Human ecology.
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Earth (Planet)
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Dyas, Matthew, director
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Stewart, Iain, host
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