PBS to Celebrate Earth Day with New David Attenborough Doc

PBS is gearing up to premiere the new documentary Climate Change—The Facts, presenting scientific evidence of the impact of global warming, on Earth Day.

The program also examines possible solutions to the crisis, including the latest innovations, technology and actions individuals can take to prevent further damage. The one-hour special, hosted by natural historian Sir David Attenborough, premieres Wednesday, April 22, at 8:00 p.m.

Climate Change—The Facts brings together leading climate scientists who explain what might happen if global warming increases 1.5 degrees. Experts examine the consequences of rising temperatures on ice sheets, fragile ecosystems, developing communities and extreme weather events. Personal accounts of California wildfires, extreme coastal flooding in Louisiana and increasing temperatures in Australia paint vivid pictures of these devastating effects.

Researchers from around the world provide global context to the crisis in Climate Change—The Facts. Featured experts include Dr. James Hansen, former director of NASA Goddard Institute for Science Studies; professor Naomi Oreskes, science historian at Harvard University; professor Michael Mann, climate scientist at Penn State University; and Greta Thunberg, Swedish teenage climate advocate and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, among others.

“In the 20 years since I first started talking about the impact of climate change on our world, conditions have changed far faster than I ever imagined,” said Attenborough. “It may sound frightening, but the scientific evidence is that if we have not taken dramatic action within the next decade, we could face irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies. We’re running out of time, but there is still hope.”