The Mass Extinction

The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that by 2100, an estimated 50% of all the world’s species: up to 1 million animals and plant species are at risk of extinction because of human activities.

We traverse across India and Philippines to understand how climate change and rising temperatures are lowering the survival rates of the Asiatic elephants and the green sea turtle due to changes that lead to less food, less successful reproduction, and interfering with the environment for native wildlife.

Along the way, we also investigate how human exploitation of animal habitats, climate change and pollution is exasperating its impact. Many experts say a “mass extinction event” – only the sixth in the past half-billion years – is already underway.

Cooler habitats have been earmarked as a way for species to "escape" from warming climates. However, most species won't be able to do this quickly enough to avoid extinction, based on their past rates of movement.

In this 2-part series, we go deep inside jungles, oceans and natural habitats around Asia and meet activists and environmentalist’s trying to save our animals from extinction.

Narrator: Dilly Barlow

Episodes: 2 x 60 minutes

Languages: English

Production year: 2022