Ep 3. Countdown to Extinction

In the third season of Vice, the episode 'Countdown to Extinction' explores the impact of climate change on various species and ecosystems. Correspondent Isobel Yeung travels to Kenya to investigate the gruesome and illegal practices of poaching, which are driving the black rhinoceros population to extinction. Yeung undergoes a perilous journey to witness the burning of a confiscated ivory stockpile by the government as a symbolic call for the world to end the illicit trade of ivory.

Meanwhile, Thomas Morton heads to the forests of California to see how droughts, ailments, and rising temperatures are turning the trees into kindling and elevating the scale of forest fires. Morton meets with environmental groups, firefighters battling the blazes, and scientists trying to understand why these fires are increasing in intensity. He witnesses the strategies deployed to manage the terrible consequences of fires, including the creation of firebreaks, and the use of cutting-edge technology like drones, which analyze the size and behavior of the blazes.

Finally, the episode shifts its focus to Southeast Asia, where almost a third of the world's seafood is captured. Ben Anderson travels to the region to learn about widespread fishing practices that pose a grave threat to the ocean's ecosystem. The fishing industry has grown nearly tenfold in the past five decades, which has been accompanied by a high import of modern trawlers, which catch fish in huge numbers, destroying the habitats of vulnerable species and damaging the prime breeding grounds, all of which have led to the depletion of fish stocks.

Overall, 'Countdown to Extinction' is an alarming piece of journalism that raises awareness about what is at stake for the world's ecosystems, due to climate change and human activities. The episode provides detailed information about the efforts being taken to combat these threats and the ongoing challenges that are slowing progress towards preservation and sustainability. Through its three segments, it highlights various methodologies used in the fight against environmental threats, including defensive strategies, awareness campaigns, and technological innovation.

As always, Vice's reportage is straightforward and hard-hitting, featuring personal accounts from people on the ground and expert commentary that lends depth and objectivity to the issues at hand. The show is an essential watch for citizens interested in discovering more about the impact of climate change on our planet and understanding the critical need for immediate action to be taken.