Horizon Season 2014 Episode 9 What's Wrong with Our Weather?

What's Wrong with Our Weather? is the ninth episode of the 2014 season of the popular science documentary series Horizon. In the episode, Horizon investigates the causes and effects of the extreme weather patterns that have been observed worldwide in recent years. The show delves into the science behind climate change and explores the impact that human activity is having on the Earth's weather systems.

The episode begins by examining how the Earth's climate has changed over the course of its history. Using cutting-edge technology, scientists are able to study ancient air trapped in ice cores and fossilized plant remains to reconstruct the Earth's climate patterns over the past few million years. They have found that the Earth's climate has always undergone natural cycles of warming and cooling but that the current rate of change is unprecedented in human history.

Horizon then explores the ways in which human activity is contributing to climate change. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and the production of livestock are just a few of the human activities that are causing an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. These greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun and cause the Earth's temperature to rise, leading to more extreme weather patterns such as severe storms, droughts, and heat waves.

The show then takes a closer look at some of the areas around the world that have been hardest hit by extreme weather events. In the United States, Hurricane Sandy caused billions of dollars in damage and left millions without power. In Australia, a series of devastating heat waves led to fires that destroyed homes and killed wildlife. And in the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan killed over six thousand people and left entire cities in ruin.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that climate change is a real and pressing issue, there remains a significant amount of skepticism and denial around the topic. The show explores why this is the case and looks at some of the tactics used by climate change deniers to spread misinformation and confusion.

Despite the challenges and obstacles, there are reasons to be hopeful. Horizon highlights some of the innovations and solutions that are being developed to tackle climate change, such as renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, and new ways of storing excess energy through batteries and other technologies. The show also highlights the impact that individual actions can have on the environment, from reducing the amount of meat we eat to using LED light bulbs and other energy-efficient appliances.

In conclusion, What's Wrong with Our Weather? is a thought-provoking and timely episode of Horizon that explores the science behind climate change and the impact that human activity is having on the Earth's weather patterns. The show also highlights the potential solutions and innovations that can help us tackle this critical issue and offers hope for a more sustainable future.