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Journey to Planet Earth introduces students to some of the most important environmental issues of the 21st century through thought-provoking coverage. What makes this series different from other environmental programs is that it links the sciences with economics, politics, geography and history - an interdisciplinary approach recommended by the National Science Education standards for teaching environmental issues.
"Classes in economics, history, civics, geography, and social studies will benefit from watching this extraordinary production." — School
Library Journal
Each episode of Journey to Planet Earth features four to five thematically related stories from different geographic regions and that feature stories about people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Journey to Planet Earth can lead students to a deeper kind of inquiry, one that is an investigation of their personal relationship to the environment and, hopefully, the recognition that individuals can help their countries and communities cope with serious environmental threats.
To find the best program for your students, explore the extended descriptions
for each program. Teachers guides, activity kits, and other resources can be
found throughout this site. The video series is also available for purchase
for educational use.
 Rivers
of Destiny
Looks at the dangers (pollution, over fishing, loss of wetlands)
threatening four of the world's major river systems — the
Mississippi, the Amazon, the Jordan and the Mekong. Teaching Topics
include flood control, deforestation, over-fishing, Middle East
politics, water pollution and loss of wetlands. Teachers
Guide available here.
 The
Urban Explosion
Examines the problems confronting four of the world's mega-cities — New
York City, Mexico City, Istanbul, and Shanghai. Teaching Topics
include air and water pollution, water shortages, population growth,
public transport, urban sprawl and environmental racism. Teachers
Guide available here.
 Land
of Plenty, Land of Want
Visits diverse farming communities in Zimbabwe, France, the United
States and China to examine the worldwide problems of feeding a
growing population. Teaching Topics include subsistence
farming, irrigation, agricultural runoff, organic farming, precision
farming and soil erosion. Teachers
Guide available here.
 Seas
of Grass
Discover the natural vegetation of nearly one-quarter of Earth's
land surface, grasslands, in Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, China
and the United States. Teaching Topics include livestock grazing,
reduction in species diversity, and conversion of grassland to
farmland or desert. Teacher's
Guide available here.
 Hot
Zones
Shows how human health is dependent on that of the environment
in Kenya, Peru, Bangladesh and the United States. Teaching Topics include
deforestation, climate change, uncontrolled development. Teacher's
Guide available here.
 On
the Brink
Investigates the connection between environmental issues and political
crises and increased hostilities in India/Bangladesh, South Africa,
Peru, Haiti, Mexico and the United States. Teaching Topics include
deforestation, soil erosion, water and air pollution, refuge populations
and global climate change. Teacher's
Guide available here.
 Future
Conditional
Explore how toxic pollutants affect environmental and human health
in the arctic, USA, Mexico and Uzbekistan. Teaching Topics include
global trade, airborne and groundwater pollution, land and water
use and global climate change. Teachers
Guide available here.
 State
of the Planet
Discover the elegance of diversity and the rich tapestry of the natural world—a
world shaped by people, by those who are strongly tied to the land and who draw
from its bounty. Teachers Guide available here.
 State
of the Planet's Wildlife
Investigate what scientists call "the sixth great extinction of the world's animals" and what we are doing to stop it. Teachers Guide available here.
 State of the Ocean's Animals
Investigate why so many of our ocean's animals are disappearing. Case studies focus on global issues including climate change, sea-level rise, over-fishing, and habitat destruction. Teachers Guide available here.
 State of the Planet's Oceans
Once considered an inexhaustible source of food, the oceans are now in danger of being seriously depleted. This program examines the issues affecting marine preserves, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems. Teachers Guide available here.
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