Watch Six Degrees Could Change the World

In 2008, National Geographic premiered a science and nature documentary series entitled Six Degrees Could Change the World which was hosted by Alec Baldwin. This show featured experts and climate scientists who explored the potential impacts of global warming on the planet's biosphere and the consequences of global warming on the Earth's natural system.

The series was named after the theory that if the Earth's temperature continues to rise by six degrees Celsius, it would result in an extreme impact on the climate system, causing the disintegration of the polar ice caps, the acidification of the oceans, and widespread extinction of species.

The series aimed to highlight the impact of climate change across the world, and how it may not only affect the environment but impact everyday people, including those who call some of the most vulnerable regions on Earth home.

The show featured climate scientists, marine biologists, energy consultants, and other experts, who shared their knowledge and experience to help make a case for why we need to take action now towards preventing further climate change.

Throughout the documentary, experts explain how changes in temperature can lead to small-scale consequences such as sea turtles misreading the temperature of the sand where they lay their eggs, making it difficult for their offspring to survive. Additionally, more massive-scale consequences like destroying crops and access to clean water were discussed. The show takes the recent information on climate change and shows how this knowledge pertains to everyday life.

The hypothetical situation of a six-degree Celsius rise in temperature was presented, and the series worked backward to show what the world would be like in each scenario, including significant climate shifts, devastating natural disasters, and mass extinctions, which could drastically affect the way of life on earth.

Among the many experts in the series, Richard Betts, head of climate impacts at the Met Office Hadley Centre, is featured, discussing how the Arctic region could experience drastic melting resulting in rising sea levels, change in weather trends, and the collapse of life systems.

Duarte Borba, an energy consultant, shared ways that power companies could alter their methods by exploring cleaner energy sources like wind, solar, and biomass. He also outlines some of the statistics relating to the high cost of transitioning to cleaner energy.

Alec Baldwin guided viewers through the series, setting up the narrative of potential future scenarios that could arise from neglected actions to combat climate change. From the loss of world-known ecosystems to escalated global conflict, the show stresses the significance of taking climate change seriously.

In each episode, the show used stunning cinematography to visualize possible outcomes, including cities being engulfed by water or various climates becoming more extreme than ever. The show presents its information in a profound way that allows its viewers to grasp the severity of climate change.

Six Degrees Could Change the World was a critical show that sought to educate its viewers about the potential severity of our current climate crisis. It was a wake-up call to take action as fast as possible to prevent further detrimental climate changes. It presented the dire consequences of ignoring climate change and makes for an insightful watch to those seeking to understand the potential outcomes of our actions.