Deep Dive: Extinction: The Facts (2020)
Film Lens
Extinction: The Facts is a 2020 documentary by David Attenborough that examines the ongoing sixth mass extinction driven by human activities. It presents alarming statistics, such as the fact that humans are causing an extinction rate approximately 100 times faster than natural rates, with one million out of eight million species at risk. The film features commentary from experts and shows the role of factors like poaching, overfishing, and climate change in biodiversity loss.
The documentary also addresses the impact of human consumption, particularly in developed countries, on extinction rates. It discusses the connection between wildlife trade and the spread of viruses, linking human expansion into natural habitats to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attenborough emphasizes the urgent need for action to reverse these trends, suggesting that international targets like the Paris Agreement are not being met, which could lead to significant global warming and further extinction crises.
Why Watch
- •See David Attenborough's insights on biodiversity loss.
- •Find out how poaching affects species like the pangolin.
- •Meet experts discussing the links between climate change and extinction.
Did You Know
•One million species are at risk of extinction out of eight million total.
•The human population grew from two billion to seven billion in one lifetime.
•One in four recorded plant species are at risk of extinction.
•The documentary had a peak viewership of roughly 4.5 million on its premiere.
Perfect For
Environmental scienceWildlife conservationClimate change awareness