Ep 19. Man-Made Disasters

In season 7, episode 19 of Naked Science, viewers are taken on a journey exploring some of the most catastrophic man-made disasters in history. From environmental disasters to technological mishaps, this episode highlights the negative impact human beings can have on the world around them.

The episode begins by examining the environmental disaster caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The explosion of the oil rig resulted in the release of over 200 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in widespread damage to the environment and wildlife. Viewers are taken behind the scenes to understand how this disaster occurred and how experts worked tirelessly to contain and mitigate the damage.

Next, the show explores the disaster caused by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion in 1986. The explosion released dangerous levels of radiation into the atmosphere, resulting in widespread health issues and environmental damage. The episode highlights the events leading up to the explosion and how the disaster was managed in the aftermath.

The episode also touches upon the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans in 2005. Viewers are shown how the failure of levees and flood walls exacerbated the disaster, resulting in loss of life and immense damage to the city.

Moving onto technological disasters, the episode explores the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. While not intentionally caused by humans, the episode highlights how human error and hubris played a role in the disaster. The episode explores the design flaws of the Titanic and how they contributed to its sinking.

The show then delves into the global recession of 2008, examining the role of human greed in causing the financial crisis. Viewers are shown how the failure of big banks and institutions resulted in widespread economic damage and the devastating impact this had on individuals and communities around the world.

Finally, the episode examines the failure of the Mars Climate Orbiter in 1998. The NASA spacecraft crashed into Mars due to a mathematical error caused by a miscommunication between the team in charge of the spacecraft's trajectory and the team responsible for conversions between US customary units and metric units. The show explores the implications of this disaster for space exploration and the importance of accurate communication and data management.

Throughout the episode, viewers are provided with a range of expert insights and analysis on each disaster. The show highlights the importance of understanding our impact on the world and the responsibility we have to manage our technological and environmental systems carefully.

Overall, Naked Science season 7, episode 19 is a thought-provoking exploration of some of the most significant man-made disasters in history. The episode provides an informative and educational look at these events, reminding viewers of the ongoing importance of responsible management of our planet and technological systems.