Our world has had a long and complicated history. Documenting that story is a difficult task, but Earth, a five-part BBC documentary narrated by naturalist Chris Packham, aims to do just that by exploring significant moments in Earth’s history. Packham explains that the series also incorporates exciting new scientific research.
While the documentary focuses on Earth’s geological history, including radical climate changes over millions of years, Packham is most concerned about the recent impact of accelerated human-driven climate change and biodiversity loss. He argues that labeling it as “loss” is misleading; rather, humans have actively destroyed species and their habitats, making it not a sixth mass extinction event, but a mass extermination event.
Despite the grim situation, Packham believes that there is still time to make a difference. He finds it morally unacceptable to be a conscious participant in such an event and therefore advocates taking action.