Name: Can We Cool the Planet?
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As global temperatures rise, scientists are exploring solutions from planting trees to sucking carbon out of the air to geoengineering. But would they work? And what are the risks of engineering Earth's climate?

Scientists look to geoengineering and other methods to cool the planet.

Can We Cool the Planet?

Using laser technology aboard the International Space Station, Lola Fatoyinbo can get a 3D measure of forest carbon—making it the first near-global dataset.

This researcher shoots lasers at trees in order to measure how much carbon forests store.

Meet the NASA Scientist Who Uses Lasers to Study Forests

Can We Cool the Planet? Promo

Scientists propose putting reflective aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect the sun's rays. But will this have unintended consequences?

Solar geoengineering is like drawing a curtain over the face of the Earth.

What is Solar Geoengineering and Why is it Controversial?

This visualization uses Washington D.C.'s National Mall to show the scale of human coal consumption—and how much CO2 it adds to our atmosphere.

See how much CO2 we add to the atmosphere each year.

How Much Coal Do People Burn Each Year?

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As global temperatures continue to rise, scientists are wondering if we need solutions that go beyond reducing emissions. From sucking carbon straight out of the air, to geoengineering our atmosphere to physically block out sunlight, to planting more than a trillion trees, the options may seem futuristic or tough to implement. But as time runs out on conventional solutions to climate change, scientists are asking the hard questions: Can new, sometimes controversial, solutions really work? And at what cost? (Premiered October 28, 2020)

Princeton University

Scientists look to geoengineering and other methods to cool the planet.

Planet Earth

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NOVA investigates the story of cannabis from the criminalization that has disproportionately harmed communities of color to the latest medical understanding of the plant. What risks does cannabis pose to the developing brain? How much do we know about its potential medical benefits? As cannabis becomes socially accepted, scientists are exploring its long-term health consequences. (Premiered September 29, 2021)Check out a previously recorded panel discussion and audience Q&amp;A featuring experts and producers from "The Cannabis Question" <a href="https://youtu.be/nSTT5RZ_hxA">here</a>.

As state-legalized cannabis spreads, NOVA explores its little-known risks and benefits.

The Cannabis Question

A 2006 composite image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Telescope shows the chaos of baby stars in the Orion nebula some 1,500 light-years away. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI

With the upcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble era is gradually drawing to a close. Here are some highlights from the countless wonders Hubble has shown us during its 31 years in space.

10 spectacular Hubble Space Telescope images

A statue of Zheng He at the Sam Poo Kong Temple in Java, Indonesia. Image Credit: Budianto Santosa, Shutterstock

In the 1400s, Zheng He sailed thousands of miles around Asia and Africa in ships the size of soccer fields, spreading Chinese innovations like compasses and gunpowder in the process.

Can We Cool the Planet?

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Armenia reckons with climate change and its Soviet past through reforestation

Can Geoengineering “Undo” Climate Change?

Geochemists Figure Out How to Turn Carbon Dioxide Emissions Into Stone

Why Doesn’t Everyone Believe Humans Are Causing Climate Change?

What if Carbon Left Your Tailpipe as Solid Chunks?

The Coal That’s Good for the Climate

What is Solar Geoengineering and Why is it Controversial?

How Much Coal Do People Burn Each Year?

Meet the NASA Scientist Who Uses Lasers to Study Forests

The Power Plants That Can Reverse Climate Change

Three Solutions That Can Slow or Stop Climate Change

Taking Politics Out of Climate Change

Climate Change's Best Hope

In best-case reforestation scenario, trees could remove most of the carbon humans have added to the atmosphere

Can We Cool the Planet?

How Earth’s Climate Changed Over the Past 500 Million Years

More Ways to Watch

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Explore More

Armenia reckons with climate change and its Soviet past through reforestation

Can Geoengineering “Undo” Climate Change?

Geochemists Figure Out How to Turn Carbon Dioxide Emissions Into Stone

Why Doesn’t Everyone Believe Humans Are Causing Climate Change?

What if Carbon Left Your Tailpipe as Solid Chunks?

The Coal That’s Good for the Climate

What is Solar Geoengineering and Why is it Controversial?

How Much Coal Do People Burn Each Year?

Meet the NASA Scientist Who Uses Lasers to Study Forests

The Power Plants That Can Reverse Climate Change

Three Solutions That Can Slow or Stop Climate Change

Taking Politics Out of Climate Change

Climate Change's Best Hope

In best-case reforestation scenario, trees could remove most of the carbon humans have added to the atmosphere

Can We Cool the Planet?

How Earth’s Climate Changed Over the Past 500 Million Years