Horizon Season 2011 Episode 1 What is One Degree?

What is One Degree? is the first episode of the 2011 season of the popular science series Horizon. In this episode, the show explores the impact of global warming on the planet and how even a small increase in temperature can have significant consequences.

The episode begins by introducing the concept of climate change and highlighting the scientific consensus that the Earth's temperature is rising. Using a combination of interviews with climate scientists, footage from around the world showing the effects of climate change, and animations that help explain complex concepts, the show builds a clear picture of the scale of the problem we face.

Throughout the episode, the program returns to the idea of one degree - the approximate temperature increase that the Earth has experienced since the Industrial Revolution. It might not sound like much, but as the show makes clear, this one-degree increase is already having a profound impact on the planet.

One of the most striking examples of this is the melting of Arctic sea ice. As the Earth's temperature rises, the Arctic is warming faster than almost anywhere else on the planet. This is leading to an unprecedented rate of melting, which in turn is causing sea levels to rise. The show interviews scientists working in the Arctic and shows footage of the melting ice, helping viewers to understand the gravity of the situation.

Another area where the effects of global warming are being keenly felt is in the oceans. As the planet warms, the oceans are absorbing more carbon dioxide, which is making them more acidic. This is having a significant impact on marine life, as organisms struggle to adapt to the changing conditions. The show explains how coral reefs, for example, are under threat from ocean acidification, which could have dire consequences for the species that rely on them.

The episode also explores some of the potential consequences of a world that continues to warm. For example, the show looks at the impact that changes in precipitation patterns could have on agriculture, as well as the potential for more frequent extreme weather events like hurricanes and droughts. While it's impossible to predict exactly what will happen as the Earth continues to warm, the program paints a sobering picture of what could be in store.

One of the strengths of this episode is the way that it presents complex scientific concepts in an accessible and compelling way. Through a combination of interviews with scientists and clear visualizations, the program is able to convey the urgency of the issue without being overly alarmist. Viewers will come away from the episode with a real sense of the scale of the problem and what needs to be done to address it.

Overall, What is One Degree? is an excellent introduction to the issue of climate change and its impact on the planet. It offers a clear-eyed, scientifically rigorous view of the challenges ahead, while still remaining engaging and accessible. Anyone who is interested in understanding this important issue would do well to watch this episode of Horizon.