Xploration Awesome Planet Season 5 Episode 1 Helping Hands
- October 7, 2018
- 21 min
In this season 5 premiere of Xploration Awesome Planet, titled "Helping Hands," viewers are taken on a journey around the world to explore the different ways in which humans are helping to protect and preserve the planet's natural resources. Host Phillippe Cousteau Jr. takes us on a quest to discover some of the most innovative and inspiring environmental initiatives taking place today.
The episode begins in Costa Rica, where viewers learn about a unique coffee farm that is implementing sustainable practices to protect the land and its ecosystem. The farm uses natural pest control methods and promotes biodiversity by growing other crops alongside the coffee plants. We see workers carefully harvesting the coffee cherries and learn about the rigorous process that goes into producing high-quality, sustainable coffee.
Next, we travel to the United States to visit a wildlife sanctuary that is working to rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals. We meet the dedicated staff and volunteers who care for the animals and learn about the different techniques used to help them recover and eventually return to their natural habitats. We see baby squirrels being fed and watch as a bald eagle is released back into the wild after recovering from a broken wing.
In China, we are introduced to a community that is working to restore and protect the natural wetlands that have been destroyed by human activity. We learn about the importance of wetlands in maintaining the health of our planet and the various ways in which they support biodiversity. The community is shown building nesting platforms for birds and planting native vegetation to help restore the wetland habitat.
From China, we travel to France to learn about a unique project that is utilizing technology to help protect the ocean and its inhabitants. We meet a team of marine biologists who are using drones to track and study whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. The drones allow the scientists to capture high-quality video footage and gather important data about the animals' behavior and movements. We see the researchers in action, piloting the drones and analyzing the footage they capture.
Our final stop is in Kenya, where we learn about a project that is empowering local communities to protect their forests and combat deforestation. We meet with the members of a community-led organization who are working to promote sustainable logging practices and restore degraded land. We learn about the links between deforestation and climate change and see the positive impact that the project is having on the livelihoods of local people.
Throughout "Helping Hands," viewers are introduced to a variety of inspiring individuals and organizations who are working to make a positive impact on the environment. We see the different ways in which they are approaching the challenges of sustainability, conservation, and biodiversity. The episode provides an uplifting and hopeful message about the power of human ingenuity and innovation to protect our planet and its natural resources for future generations.