Watch Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline

Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline is a new BBC Two series that premiered in spring 2021. The show follows the travels of presenter and Paralympian athlete Ade Adepitan as he explores the impact of climate change on some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Over the course of five episodes, Ade visits locations such as Madagascar, the Philippines, and Greenland to witness firsthand how climate change is affecting these regions, and to meet the people who are fighting to protect them.

One of the unique features of the show is Ade's focus on how climate change is affecting people with disabilities. As someone who has lived with a disability his whole life, Ade is particularly attuned to the ways that climate change can make life even more difficult for people who are already struggling. In one episode of the series, he visits a village in Madagascar where people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate. The village is situated near a lake that has been drying up due to drought, depriving residents of the fish that were once their main source of food. For people with disabilities who have difficulty traveling long distances to find other sources of food, this has been particularly devastating. Ade speaks with several members of the community, including a man who is paralyzed from the waist down, and learns about the various ways that they are adapting to the changing conditions.

Another aspect of the show is Ade's interactions with young climate activists, including Greta Thunberg. In the first episode, Ade attends a climate strike in London and speaks with several young people who are passionate about the need for more action on climate change. Later in the series, Ade accompanies Greta to a conference in Madrid, where she speaks to world leaders about the urgent need for action. Ade is impressed by Greta's conviction and her willingness to speak truth to power, and he admits that meeting her has given him hope for the future.

Throughout the series, Ade also speaks with scientists and experts who explain the science behind climate change and the various ways that it is affecting different parts of the world. In one episode, he meets with researchers in Greenland who are tracking the melting of the ice sheet and the resulting rise of sea levels. The scientists explain that the melting of the ice sheet could ultimately cause sea levels to rise by several feet, which would have catastrophic consequences for millions of people around the world. Ade also learns about the effects of climate change on coral reefs, forests, and other vital ecosystems.

One of the strengths of Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline is the way that it balances urgency with hope. Although the series doesn't shy away from the very real threats posed by climate change, it also highlights the many people who are working tirelessly to mitigate its effects. In Madagascar, for example, Ade meets a man who is leading a reforestation project aimed at restoring the region's degraded forests. In the Philippines, he speaks with a group of fishermen who are experimenting with more sustainable fishing practices. And in London, he interviews a designer who has developed a clothing line made entirely from sustainable materials. Throughout the series, Ade is careful to showcase the resilience and resourcefulness of the communities he visits, and to highlight the ways that individual actions can make a difference.

Overall, Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline is a powerful and engaging series that brings much-needed attention to the urgent issue of climate change. With its mix of personal stories, expert analysis, and inspiring examples of activism and innovation, the show is sure to inspire viewers to take action in their own communities.