Naked Science Season 6 Episode 20 Incinerator Earth
- October 22, 2009
Incinerator Earth is the 20th episode of the sixth season of the popular documentary series Naked Science. In this episode, viewers are taken on a journey to explore one of the most feared scenarios of our planet's future - the possibility of a runaway greenhouse effect.
The show explores the science behind this theory and the devastating consequences it could have for Earth and its inhabitants. It begins by looking at the basic principles of the greenhouse effect, which is the trapping of heat by certain gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane. The program then goes on to explain how human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, has led to a rapid increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing the planet to warm at an alarming rate.
As the temperature rises, the show explains that the Earth's natural systems for absorbing carbon dioxide, such as plants and the oceans, become less effective. This leads to a vicious cycle of warming, further reducing the planet's ability to regulate its temperature.
The episode takes viewers on a journey to some of the hottest and most hostile environments on the planet, such as Death Valley, California, and the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia, to illustrate the extreme conditions that would be unleashed if the planet were to experience a runaway greenhouse effect. Using cutting-edge computer modeling and simulations, the program shows how Earth could eventually become a lifeless, barren wasteland resembling the planet Venus.
Despite the bleak outlook, the episode also explores some of the potential solutions to this problem. It discusses renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and examines how these could be used to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere. The program also looks at the role of technology in capturing and storing carbon dioxide, a process known as carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Overall, Incinerator Earth is a thought-provoking and eye-opening episode of Naked Science that explores a critical issue facing humanity. By presenting the science and the potential solutions in a clear and accessible manner, the show provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the planetary challenge of the greenhouse effect and what can be done to address it.
