Ep 3. The Capital Threat

In the third episode of Life After People: The Series, entitled “The Capital Threat,” the show continues its exploration of what would happen to the world if humans were to suddenly disappear. This episode focuses specifically on the impact that the disappearance of human beings would have on the capital city of the United States, Washington D.C.

The episode begins with an image of the Washington Monument, standing tall and proud amidst a sprawling, empty city. The show’s narrator explains that, like much of the city’s architecture, the Washington Monument is made up of materials that are built to last – but without human beings there to maintain them, they won’t last forever. Over time, the wind, rain, and sun would start to take their toll on the Monument and other buildings in the city, leading to their eventual collapse.

As we move through the city, we see other examples of how the disappearance of humans would lead to the slow breakdown of infrastructure. The Metro system, for example, would quickly shut down without anyone to run it, leading to flooding in the tunnels and damage to the tracks. The show’s experts note that the Metro system was not designed to operate long-term without maintenance, and predict that the system would be essentially unusable within a few decades.

The episode also explores the impact that the lack of maintenance would have on the Potomac River, which runs through Washington D.C. Without humans to maintain the locks and dams that regulate the water flow, the river would quickly become choked with debris and sediment, leading to devastating floods and potentially serious environmental problems.

Perhaps most concerning, however, is the risk of a catastrophic event occurring in D.C. without anyone there to stop it. The show’s experts note that there are a number of hazardous materials stored in the city, including a nuclear reactor at the Naval Research Laboratory and chemical weapons at the Joint Base Andrews. Without humans there to keep these facilities running and ensure their safety, there is a risk that they could release dangerous materials into the environment, causing serious harm to both humans and wildlife.

Overall, “The Capital Threat” provides a thought-provoking look at what would happen to one of the world’s most important cities if humans were suddenly removed from the equation. While some buildings and infrastructure would last for years or even decades, the slow breakdown of systems like transportation and the power grid would eventually lead to the city’s collapse. And with so many hazardous materials stored in the city, the risk of a catastrophic event cannot be ignored.

Life After People: The Series does an excellent job of making viewers think about the impact that we have on the world around us, and what would happen if we were suddenly gone. While it can be a sobering experience to think about, it’s an important reminder of the importance of taking care of our planet and the infrastructure we rely on to keep our world running smoothly. Anyone who is interested in science, environmentalism, or the future of our planet would do well to give this series a watch.