Did anybody watch this last night on BBC 4?
It will be on the iplayer if your interested?
If you are a wildlife lover or care about the environment it is well well worth a watch, very informative, saddening, but there is a little light at the end of the tunnel in some cases.
Overhaul, I'm convinced we will be know as the dirty generation who started to destroy our plant. The plastic population who also poisoned our waters with drugs
Two-thirds of our planet is covered in water, split into five distinct oceans, but in reality Earth's seas are part of one huge global water system - a system that has been instrumental in shaping our destiny for millions of years. Now, however, in the 21st century, it is mankind that is shaping the destiny of our oceans. In unprecedented ways, humans are changing our seas and the life within. The ocean bed, the currents, marine life, even the water itself is transformed by what we are putting into our oceans.
In this revelatory BBC Four documentary special, oceanographer Dr Helen Czerski and zoologist Dr George McGavin carry out an ‘autopsy' on the ocean itself and reveal the startling changes it's undergoing. Moving the story beyond the well-known impact of discarded plastic on our seas, the autopsy will investigate the effects of high levels of life-threatening toxins on marine ecosystems and the invisible plague of micro- and nano-plastics saturating the water. The destiny of our oceans is on a knife edge and the window of opportunity to save them is rapidly closing.
But all is not lost. Along the way, George and Helen follow some surprising stories of hope as scientists uncover biodiverse ecosystems at the bottom of wind turbines that act as artificial reefs. George also visits the team at the Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project, a coastal wetland restoration initiative on the Essex coast twice the size of the City of London, that has been transformed into a nature reserve for rare and threatened birds and other wildlife using excavated soil from Crossrail.
Our precinct is the North Sea. Industry has polluted these waters for longer than any other sea on the planet and, in the past 50 years, the North Sea has warmed twice as fast as the rest of the world's oceans. The unique levels of human impact provide oceanographers with a crystal ball for the future of ocean change. If it is happening in the North Sea now, scientists can predict where they will see it globally in the future.
Embedded with a team of leading researchers on board the Pelagia, a Dutch Oceanographic research vessel, Helen is on a mission to perform a comprehensive health check on the North Sea, using gas-sampling techniques to investigate a mysterious methane leak that may be caused by sea temperature rise. Understanding its origins could be critical to uncovering the human effects of global warming. The team will have to work for 48 hours straight on this ‘floating laboratory' in the ocean.
They also carry out a survey of the North Sea to generate a comprehensive map of micro-plastic movement in our oceans. Ninety-nine percent of the plastic we dump in the oceans is missing, so the team wants to find out where it is all going. Starting off on the coastline, the team samples plastic on the surface, documenting where they find each piece and what it is. They also sample the depths of the sea for micro-plastics and discover marine fungi that could provide a possible solution - they might be ‘eating' micro plastics.
Intercut with this survey, Dr George McGavin visits Utrecht University. Here, leading animal pathologist Lonneke IJsseldijk performs a necropsy (an animal autopsy) on a harbour porpoise to try to find out how and why it died. Lonneke believes the best way to understand what is in our oceans is to look inside the animals that live there. She looks for chemical fingerprints of human toxic pollutants hidden inside, like PCBs that were used in the building industry in the 1980s but which never break down
I thought the killer whale situation off Scotland was sad. This pod will die out since they have not breed for the last 25 years, plastics..?
It will be on the iplayer if your interested?
If you are a wildlife lover or care about the environment it is well well worth a watch, very informative, saddening, but there is a little light at the end of the tunnel in some cases.
Overhaul, I'm convinced we will be know as the dirty generation who started to destroy our plant. The plastic population who also poisoned our waters with drugs
Two-thirds of our planet is covered in water, split into five distinct oceans, but in reality Earth's seas are part of one huge global water system - a system that has been instrumental in shaping our destiny for millions of years. Now, however, in the 21st century, it is mankind that is shaping the destiny of our oceans. In unprecedented ways, humans are changing our seas and the life within. The ocean bed, the currents, marine life, even the water itself is transformed by what we are putting into our oceans.
In this revelatory BBC Four documentary special, oceanographer Dr Helen Czerski and zoologist Dr George McGavin carry out an ‘autopsy' on the ocean itself and reveal the startling changes it's undergoing. Moving the story beyond the well-known impact of discarded plastic on our seas, the autopsy will investigate the effects of high levels of life-threatening toxins on marine ecosystems and the invisible plague of micro- and nano-plastics saturating the water. The destiny of our oceans is on a knife edge and the window of opportunity to save them is rapidly closing.
But all is not lost. Along the way, George and Helen follow some surprising stories of hope as scientists uncover biodiverse ecosystems at the bottom of wind turbines that act as artificial reefs. George also visits the team at the Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project, a coastal wetland restoration initiative on the Essex coast twice the size of the City of London, that has been transformed into a nature reserve for rare and threatened birds and other wildlife using excavated soil from Crossrail.
Our precinct is the North Sea. Industry has polluted these waters for longer than any other sea on the planet and, in the past 50 years, the North Sea has warmed twice as fast as the rest of the world's oceans. The unique levels of human impact provide oceanographers with a crystal ball for the future of ocean change. If it is happening in the North Sea now, scientists can predict where they will see it globally in the future.
Embedded with a team of leading researchers on board the Pelagia, a Dutch Oceanographic research vessel, Helen is on a mission to perform a comprehensive health check on the North Sea, using gas-sampling techniques to investigate a mysterious methane leak that may be caused by sea temperature rise. Understanding its origins could be critical to uncovering the human effects of global warming. The team will have to work for 48 hours straight on this ‘floating laboratory' in the ocean.
They also carry out a survey of the North Sea to generate a comprehensive map of micro-plastic movement in our oceans. Ninety-nine percent of the plastic we dump in the oceans is missing, so the team wants to find out where it is all going. Starting off on the coastline, the team samples plastic on the surface, documenting where they find each piece and what it is. They also sample the depths of the sea for micro-plastics and discover marine fungi that could provide a possible solution - they might be ‘eating' micro plastics.
Intercut with this survey, Dr George McGavin visits Utrecht University. Here, leading animal pathologist Lonneke IJsseldijk performs a necropsy (an animal autopsy) on a harbour porpoise to try to find out how and why it died. Lonneke believes the best way to understand what is in our oceans is to look inside the animals that live there. She looks for chemical fingerprints of human toxic pollutants hidden inside, like PCBs that were used in the building industry in the 1980s but which never break down
I thought the killer whale situation off Scotland was sad. This pod will die out since they have not breed for the last 25 years, plastics..?
Didn't see this, I'll give it a watch this week.
Humans are a virus to the earth. What do we contribute? We as a species create a massive net loss of the planet. Mother Nature does keep trying to kill us off but we keep surviving. It's odd to think the most advanced species on Earth is the one that's going to kill it.
Humans are a virus to the earth. What do we contribute? We as a species create a massive net loss of the planet. Mother Nature does keep trying to kill us off but we keep surviving. It's odd to think the most advanced species on Earth is the one that's going to kill it.
In reply to Post #1
I missed that but will try and catch it on iplayer
I saw a film recently, not sure if it was on the news or not where a diver was filming the sea floor somewhere in the South of France and what did he come across? discarded masks, plastic aprons (which you would think would float but these were sitting on the sea floor) and all sorts of detritus but lots of masks, ive thought since the beginning of this pandemic that there will be a mountain of plastic as a result of it, all disposable plastic items, has anyone seen any mention of it on the news?, what's going to happen to it? It seems we are concentrating on the virus so much we have forgotten the consequences of creating all of this disposable waste
Greeksii you are right we are a virus to the planet, I read somewhere that someone compared us to an infection of the body, it said we are an infection on the planet, and what does the body do when it gets an infection? It fights it until its cured and the infection is eradicated
I'd like to think we can learn by our mistakes but the extinction of the human race doesn't mean its the end of the planet, its just evolution, the planet will evolve into something else
I missed that but will try and catch it on iplayer
I saw a film recently, not sure if it was on the news or not where a diver was filming the sea floor somewhere in the South of France and what did he come across? discarded masks, plastic aprons (which you would think would float but these were sitting on the sea floor) and all sorts of detritus but lots of masks, ive thought since the beginning of this pandemic that there will be a mountain of plastic as a result of it, all disposable plastic items, has anyone seen any mention of it on the news?, what's going to happen to it? It seems we are concentrating on the virus so much we have forgotten the consequences of creating all of this disposable waste
Greeksii you are right we are a virus to the planet, I read somewhere that someone compared us to an infection of the body, it said we are an infection on the planet, and what does the body do when it gets an infection? It fights it until its cured and the infection is eradicated
I'd like to think we can learn by our mistakes but the extinction of the human race doesn't mean its the end of the planet, its just evolution, the planet will evolve into something else
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W33HRc1A6c
Sounds interesting will watch it later
In reply to Post #1
Nice one scozza
Will definitely check it out
Nice one scozza
Will definitely check it out
In reply to Post #2
I think there is a lot of truth in that sadly
This will not effect our generation but our kids and their kids etc. Pretty sad the reality.
The porpoise autopsy was quite interesting
Worth a watch if there is nothing on, saying that, i like factual programs anyway
I think there is a lot of truth in that sadly
This will not effect our generation but our kids and their kids etc. Pretty sad the reality.
The porpoise autopsy was quite interesting
Worth a watch if there is nothing on, saying that, i like factual programs anyway
In reply to Post #1
Did you see the Sky News documentary "Plastic Nile"
From what it shows - Humanity is totally 100% doomed, it's way beyond all the previously conceived levels of how bad plastics pollution has got on the planet.
But they don't recon the Nile is nowhere near as bad as the ultimate case "The Yangtze River" China
Did you see the Sky News documentary "Plastic Nile"
From what it shows - Humanity is totally 100% doomed, it's way beyond all the previously conceived levels of how bad plastics pollution has got on the planet.
But they don't recon the Nile is nowhere near as bad as the ultimate case "The Yangtze River" China
In reply to Post #8
It's mental Keith. They reckon there are around 150 million tons of plastic currently in our Oceans, seriously WTF
I will have a look out for that
So much for humanity
It's mental Keith. They reckon there are around 150 million tons of plastic currently in our Oceans, seriously WTF
I will have a look out for that
So much for humanity
In reply to Post #9
The issue of plastic has been on the table more and more in recent years but if you go into a lot of supermarkets and i'm talking about big chains here they are still double wrapping veg and appear to be making no effort at all in reducing the amount they use, i think they are burying their heads in the sand and hoping the problem will go away!!! Out of sight out of mind, only it isn't out of sight, our seas and oceans have become so polluted and its all across the planet, when you consider that the oceans represent two thirds of the surface of the earth then that is a lot of plastic, and it is micro plastics that are of grave concern, its in the food chain now and WE are ingesting it without realising it
I watch the darker of these documentaries and am personally sickened when i see a fish, dolphin, seal, any number of creatures entrapped by plastic netting dying slowly, maybe i'm too pessimistic but its hard not to be, i hope we change but it needs to happen quick. I'm not in any way part of or believe in the doomsday scenario that ER spouts on about, we can all do our bit, i try and create as little waste as i can, i re-use as much as possible, try not to waste energy and am careful as to how much water i use, if everybody did just a little bit it would make a difference but there needs to be more action by governments and more emphasis on recycling and pressure put on these huge corporations to do more, of course it will mean we all have to pay more in the long run but i for one am ok with that if it makes for a cleaner planet, i know its not the real world but through lockdown the skies appear to be clearer, less noise and air pollution and wildlife prospering, i don't know how long that will last though
The issue of plastic has been on the table more and more in recent years but if you go into a lot of supermarkets and i'm talking about big chains here they are still double wrapping veg and appear to be making no effort at all in reducing the amount they use, i think they are burying their heads in the sand and hoping the problem will go away!!! Out of sight out of mind, only it isn't out of sight, our seas and oceans have become so polluted and its all across the planet, when you consider that the oceans represent two thirds of the surface of the earth then that is a lot of plastic, and it is micro plastics that are of grave concern, its in the food chain now and WE are ingesting it without realising it
I watch the darker of these documentaries and am personally sickened when i see a fish, dolphin, seal, any number of creatures entrapped by plastic netting dying slowly, maybe i'm too pessimistic but its hard not to be, i hope we change but it needs to happen quick. I'm not in any way part of or believe in the doomsday scenario that ER spouts on about, we can all do our bit, i try and create as little waste as i can, i re-use as much as possible, try not to waste energy and am careful as to how much water i use, if everybody did just a little bit it would make a difference but there needs to be more action by governments and more emphasis on recycling and pressure put on these huge corporations to do more, of course it will mean we all have to pay more in the long run but i for one am ok with that if it makes for a cleaner planet, i know its not the real world but through lockdown the skies appear to be clearer, less noise and air pollution and wildlife prospering, i don't know how long that will last though
In reply to Post #10
Supermarket packaging does my head in. Lovely fresh produce but wrapped in plastic most of which is not recyclable
Another bug bear is plastic trays with film lids. The lids are not recyclable but it does not part cleanly from the recyclable tray. I spend time trying to separate them with tools but it nigh on impossible
Supermarket packaging does my head in. Lovely fresh produce but wrapped in plastic most of which is not recyclable
Another bug bear is plastic trays with film lids. The lids are not recyclable but it does not part cleanly from the recyclable tray. I spend time trying to separate them with tools but it nigh on impossible
In reply to Post #9
I don't normally watch Sky documentaries to PC for me, but this was just the opposite.
What it showed was startling, it's that bad - in numerous countries along the Nile it's a criminal offence to even hold a plastic bag, Traders who still use them and the criminals who supply them when caught its instant jail, no trials anymore to waste time (It's that serious)
It's a proper eye opener; it puts the clean up attempts in Europe etc. look some what futile.
I don't normally watch Sky documentaries to PC for me, but this was just the opposite.
What it showed was startling, it's that bad - in numerous countries along the Nile it's a criminal offence to even hold a plastic bag, Traders who still use them and the criminals who supply them when caught its instant jail, no trials anymore to waste time (It's that serious)
It's a proper eye opener; it puts the clean up attempts in Europe etc. look some what futile.
In reply to Post #12
I'll have to find both of these
Kenya has had a plastic bag ban for a few years with swingeing fines. Many other central African nation's have also.
I'll have to find both of these
Kenya has had a plastic bag ban for a few years with swingeing fines. Many other central African nation's have also.
In reply to Post #13
I think India has also done away with plastic bags as the Mrs went there for 3 weeks last year and they were told its all stitched linen bags for everything.
Part of the problem in this country is we have all become victims of the quinoa effect, veeryone must have fruit and veg, whatever they want whenever they want. Seasons have now disappeared and to counter this availability everything is packed in plastic to preserve its out of season freshness and just in time deliveries. This pandemic has shown how fragile these just in time deliveries and reliance on other countries can easily be stalled.
People will have to be less reliant on these luxuries and look to seasonal fruit and veg grown in this country again. I'm already planning a veggie patch for the autumn clearing a patch for the next year
I think India has also done away with plastic bags as the Mrs went there for 3 weeks last year and they were told its all stitched linen bags for everything.
Part of the problem in this country is we have all become victims of the quinoa effect, veeryone must have fruit and veg, whatever they want whenever they want. Seasons have now disappeared and to counter this availability everything is packed in plastic to preserve its out of season freshness and just in time deliveries. This pandemic has shown how fragile these just in time deliveries and reliance on other countries can easily be stalled.
People will have to be less reliant on these luxuries and look to seasonal fruit and veg grown in this country again. I'm already planning a veggie patch for the autumn clearing a patch for the next year
In reply to Post #13
Wow, never knew that
Wow, never knew that