After seeing pictures of war, including oil wells burning out of control, thousands and thousands of bombs, and that being only what I saw... What other horrific chemicals and fumes have been let loose on the Earth, with no control and no regulation over the past ?15-30-45 years? All in the name of war. It's outrageous to expect individual families to do our reduce, reuse, recycle thing - when wars and industry behind it carry on unaccountable.

Oh well, must go, on my way to recycle...

The series is fantastic and most welcome.

However the question is misplaced and just silly. The planet has always been in a state of flux and change and always will be.

A snapshot of the planet 20 million, 80 million, years ago would still give us the same answer.

I'm writing to comment on the two comments posted thus far. First, while it may seem pointless to recycle in the face of the large-scale damage done and being done by corporations and warfare, one very pertinent thing that recycling can teach is not to take resources for granted, and not to treat the planet like an infinte garbage pit whose resources can and should be used up without restraint. That may not seem like much, but I think some peoples' awareness of their own environment has been heightened by actually having to think about what they are throwing out and what will happen to their trash after it's hauled away. This is not a bad nor a minor thing.

Second, surely despite the fact that the earth has always been in flux, the extensive damage we have caused in the last century or so with air and pollution, habitat degradation and so on is quite unique, and also can be stopped or reversed in some cases. To say that the earth has always been this way is an apathetic response and doesn't acknowledge the very real fact that the industrial age and an economy based on buying lots and lots of junk has done things to the planet that no other forces did before. The difference between 20 million years ago and today is that we have unleashed a lot of this on ourselves. And frankly, even if we can't do anything to change it, we should at least acknowledge this and consider whether there are solutions instead of conveniently shoving our heads in the sand and pretending there is no problem.

Zan, I mirror your comments. This documentary series has opened my eyes to the diversity on this planet. High school biology class can teach us many things, but actually seeing it through these amazing images has given me a greater understanding of what we have to lose. Is it available to buy on DVD?

Although the cinematography of Planet Earth (the series) was superb (in high definition television), what we were shown, in most cases, was either digitally enhanced (corrected to look more beautiful) or staged (prearranged to look more real)!

I am basically a pessimistic person when I hear, talk or thing about the future of this "miserable" planet of ours, no matter what I hear from those eminent conservationists, theologians and scientists - so far, no one has been able to "really" see nor predict the future.

As for us, stupid humans, we will continue to do what we have been doing for centuries, destroying the planet we live on by whatever means we have available ... all under the name of evolution or prosperity...

The best thing that could happened to earth would be a major catastrophe, where most of the human race would be destroyed...

As I wrote above, I am quite pessimistic about those supposedly intelligent humans...

I am looking forward to seeing the next in the series. Having recently watched "An Inconvienent Truth" I think it will be further backup.

I agree with Zan's comments from Edmonton. I also find it interesting that he is commenting from a location so close to the heart of Canada's greatest eco disasters in waiting.

Would he/she feel differently about things if he/she were in a province where there is little economic bounty? What if Fort McMurry were to have to shut down operation in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases?

I also find it interesting to watch some people talk about recycling and all the while pull up to the recycling station in a large SUV gas guzzler. There is still a long way for us to go.

I live in an area where people believe they are environmentally concious but many evenings one cannot step outside the door without choking on the wood smoke from the wood stoves in almost every home. Will they fell the same when they are suffering asthma?

Sadly I feel it will take a few large companies folding (such as car manufacturers who refuse to produce vehicles that are environmentally responsible)for the "economics of green" to be a real factor in corporate decisions.

Globalization has only provided organizations with another way to dispose of their waste in locations where the largest consumers don't have to see it, be reminded of it, and have to feel guilt over the utter waste of resouces so that they can have the newest, coolest techno whatever. However the scale, we are all responsible for our own decisions and actions that will utlimately help or hinder the planets future.

The fabulous Planet Earth series will be for sale at the BBC Canada shop and other online retailers on April 24.

Enjoy!

This information is nothing new to those of us in the "know". It is fantastic that some members of the media have finally drawn attention to it. Let's hope that enough people finally understand the dreadful message being delivered, and also have the courage to begin the "repairing" stage.

The Industrial Revolution era has been committing "crimes against humanity and nature" for far too long. As a man in my 40's, I have been a credible "witness" to the ever increasing toxic (GHG) environment we have created for our future generations. I can smell it in the air, see it in the sky, and feel its ill effects on my body.

I don't want to be remembered in the "history books" as a member of the "environmental-criminal" era. I'd much rather be remembered as a once naive "environmental caretaker". Although, after realizing and admitting mistakes were made that caused harm to our "Home Planet", was responsible enough to implement immediate responses and remedies.

*Actions do speak louder than words.

Just Do It!

I'm watching Planet Earth: The Future and I continue to be disheartened at the shortsightedness of the focus of even the experts consulted for this mini-series.

Quite simply, we continue to speak of the decimations of these plant and animal species in biocultures around the world. Who is it that we think we are if not species at the top of this once sufficient food chain. Each species from the micro to the macroscopic feeds another in the chain and the disappearance of even some random aquatic plant or microbe has a ripple effect that touches humanity in some profound way.

Tigers, Elephants and Pandas? Wake up people, we are next. Until people understand that disappearing ice is not just sad for the Polar bears, but devastating for humans as well, not to mention the myraid other problems outlined in the program, the problem will remain a problem.

The planet earth series is truely undescribable because of how outstanding and wonderful they were.

The first episode caught my attention and drew me toward it in excitement. I am amazed on how all the members of the Planet Earth series and Future made such outstanding shows. I have not missed not one episode that is on every thursday night at 10:00 pm.

I am still at a young age but my dream for the future is to become a Marine Biologist. Yes my wish is to conserve this planets environment and its wildlife no matter what!

I'm saddened to see how us humans have impacted the lives of such rare and beautiful animals all over the world. It is upsetting at the same time to see how humans have helped destroy the planet for every single breathing being in the world.

Regarding global warming and the greenhouse effect. Did anyone stop and think we might be getting closer to the sun and that is the reason for our temperature changes around the world?

And as far as a carbon tax idea to help aid in the reduction of greenhouse gases, instead of the working stiff on a low income footing the bill, why aren't the oil companies and their BILLIONS of dollar profits doing more. It's about time the little guy stands up for himself so he can live some sort of a normal life.

AJ has a point to be elaborated upon. He is right as modern war, in addition to killing, has created an immencely toxic environment from the atomic explosions in Japan to bombs dropped but not yet detinated - the land mines and scatter bombs all over the planet.

And then, dirty, indrustrialzed, ever consuming nations are reeking untold havoc from their toxic waste... just for a little more comfort and a lifes fully belly and warm bed.

Are we the better for it? I don't think I am. I long for clean, natural ways of living, not this sucking up for my next SUV so I can push the peddle as far as... Mars. It will be to our comfortable demise...

Can a North American survive without oil... Can an African survive... they are. They will do better in the future. They will not have to rely on oil.

AS long as we continue to consume, we will continue to destroy. How many of us buy the latest gadget, the cheapest shoes, the over packaged meal made with genetically modified and pesticide laden ingredients? It will take more than documentaries and magazine articles to stop the destruction of our planet. We need to use our votes and our wallets to force change, instead of relying on the other guy to do it for us.

I remember in the '80's when we all learned the three R's - Why do we now have more disposable crap than ever before? Are humans really that naive to think that environmental issues lost their sense of urgency because they stopped being trendy?

We have been talking the talk for decades! Now it is imperative that we walk the walk if we want to leave a planet worth living on for future generations.

I watch Mike Duffy live and am amazed at the continual BS from all the party members at the expense of actually doing anything concrete for global warming. Mr. Stelmach just announced yesterday that Alberta will set up "intensity targets"? The Cons are trying to con us. Canadians vote for people to represent them in government, not to represent big foreign oil companies! I think Canadians should launch a class action law suit because of the mis management of our resources and the governments reluctance to tackle pollution. And why is the government so willing to spend our tax dollars to clean up industry's mess. Industry should be spending their own money to clean up their mess.

I thank you for sharing such wounderful images of our planet.

It's a reminder on how beautiful our planet really is. Of course living in the big cities you forget about it.

It's great to see people being more concious of the enviroment, in recyling and driving cleaner cars.

HOWEVER... Why is it that the AVIATION sector? Nobody mentions how much fuel a plane burns ( were talking tens of thousands of liters of fuel).

More action should be taken and all sectors should be more responsible.

Thank you and hope to see more docs like Planet Earth in the future.

THE PLANET EARTH SERIES IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PROGRAMS. I AM RETIRED, BUT I CANNOT FANTHOM THE AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE BROUGHT FORTH IN SUCH DETAIL ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF OUR PLANET. I WROTE THIS SONG IN 1992. I WISH TO SHARE THE LYRICS WITH YOU.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT A PLACE CALLED PLANET EARTH. ONCE IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, BIRDS AND TREES AND ANIMALS WERE PLENTIFUL, BUT LATELY THOUGH IT SEEMS I'M FINDING IT HARD TO BREATHE, WERE DEPLETING OUR RESOURCES DON'T YOU KNOW THAT YOUR DESTOYING WHERE YOU LIVE,
WAKEE WAKEE HURRY HURRY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
DO YOUR SHARE FIND A SOLUTION HELP TO STOP ALL THIS POLLUTION OR ELSE YOU'LL WIND UP YOU KNOW WHERE AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS NO MORE WATER NO MORE AIR DOESN'T ANYBODY REALLY CARE, IT'S NOT DEAD NO NOT QUITE YET BUT YOU'D BETTER WAKE UP SOON, BUT I'M GONNA BE STRONG CAUSE IF THERE'S ONE THING WRONG IT'S THE WAY YOU'VE GOT, THIS OLD WORLD ALL SO SCREWED UP OH IT'S A CRYING SHAME DON'T POINT YOUR FINGER CAUSE WERE ALL TO BLAME.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT A PLACE CALLED PLANET EARTH FLOATING ENDLESSLY IN SPACE IT'S OUR HOME WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT SAFE, IT'S NOT DEAD NO QUITE YET BUT YOU'D BETTER WAKE UP SOON, WAKEE WAKEE HURRY HURRY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, NO MORE WATER NO MORE AIR DOESN'T ANYBODY REALLY CARE.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

I have been preaching GW for sometime. I finally felt an urgency to do something a few months ago and put together a collection of documentries about GW on dvd and passed them around.

I have found since I started to do this is that most have no idea what GW means and have no clue as to what is coming. Many feel that they can't do anything that would amount to much and others feel it is up to someone else to fix. Most acknowledge that it is a problem but do little to change their life style.

I am at a point that I feel that it may hopeless, unless we do something such as the 5 ways to save the world. Most just don't get it. Even after people view the video, I still don't think they worry. With the governments that we have now not enough will be done soon enough.Just my feeling. We need a miracle . I think is the only thing that will save us.

Sick of seeing how those who create the mess are not legislated by those people who are elected to represent their citizens...to be responsible for toxins in our water, air and food.

Corporations- the profit takers of all kinds including pharmaceuticals, war machine makers and chemical players, dominate, rule and then offer packages of visual imagery to play on people's consciences so that we can clean up their dirty work.

Why can't govenments simply create laws to protect the environment and its inhabitants, including wild life? Governments are failing in their jobs on many counts. Sure, we can recycle, reuse and refill...but who does this really benefit? - the manufacturers with no liability and responsibility to do the same and to find ways of producing less disposable garbage.

I just watched episode 3: Living together in some sort of disbelief. I thought the opinions of some of the peopole interviewed seemed to antagonize title of the documentary.

Personally, I don't think killing animals as a sport should be allowed anywhere, anytime, yet I hear "conservationists" listing a number of reasons justifying the killing of lions and other animals.

In my opinion, the comments on timber sawing bringing about social and economic development miss the point completely. Deforestation releases lots of trapped CO2 and its consequent effect on world climate. Personally, I think wall to wall carpet is a lot more comfy than hardwood floors. And unless the carpet is made of animal fur, there will be no animal extinction linked to the creation of this commodity.

Finally, it is very irresponsible for an independant scientist to say that it's too late now and there is nothing we can do about global warming and then have this published on national television irresponsible. Think of the influence of this on the viewers many that could choose to simply stop their efforts towards diminishing their CO2 emissions because "it's just too late."
Thanks.

We could do soo many things to stop our planets distruction ,i mean if we could. I think we should all face the fact that we've used and abused this planet and even with the signs that we just might be pushing it over the edge there still continues to be wars and new factories opening up everywhere and it seems that the only reason for all these actions point towards the LAZYNESS of our generation.

Every one wants the newest latest thing to make there life easier and provide less movement. And war, just look at whats happening in the north right now , there are other countries fighting over something that doesn't belong to them! Guess why that is.........FOR MONEY!!!!

"Canada's ownership claim to the waters has been largely ignored because of the harshness of the climate, which makes maritime transportation in the barren region impractical. That is changing, however, as warming temperatures open the prospect of resource exploitation and maritime access."

Does anybody else see anything wrong with this picture?!
EXPLOITATION AND WARMING TEMPERATURE! yeah i don't know , i could be wrong, but that looks like a recipe for MORE POLUTION and no where better to create this polution than the north pole ....WHERE THE MELTING ICE CAPS WILL NOT ONLY DROWN THE PLANET BUT WILL REINTRODUCE BILLIONS OF YEAR OLD BACTERIA AND DISEASES INTO OUR WATER ! but hey we just can't get enough money and power. Well, you know what i hope your money and power can save you when your dying from some infectious disease that has never EVER been heard of. You'll only realize when it's too late.

P.S.
when i say "you " i don't actually mean you unless "you" is the JERKS in the artic building some kind of fort and refinery or owns a factory plant and everyone else in that catagory.