Ep 1. Dry Season

Years of Living Dangerously is a documentary series that focuses on the effects of climate change on the various regions of the world. The first episode of season 1, titled "Dry Season," takes the viewer to the province of Indonesia called Sumatra. The episode unfolds with actor and environmental activist Ian Somerhalder introducing the viewer to Sumatra, which has been called one of the most biodiverse places on earth. He explains how the clearing of rainforests in Indonesia to make way for palm oil plantations has contributed to deforestation, and the loss of animal habitat.

We see Mark Bittman, a New York Times journalist, following an essay published in the Times, journey to Sumatra to investigate the issue of deforestation. Bittman meets with a group of NGOs, who inform him of the systematic clear-cutting that has occurred in Sumatra and the subsequent habitat loss. Bittman and the NGOs say that the devastating effects of deforestation can lead to a significant impact on the planet's CO2 levels. The increased level of CO2 can drastically alter weather patterns and cause severe climate changes globally.

Somewhere else, in the United States, actor and environmentalist Don Cheadle visits the state of Texas. He speaks with scientists about the recent drought that Texas has experienced, which is said to be due to global climate changes. The episode chronicles how the drought severely affected Texas farmers, leading to massive losses of crops and the eventual inability to sustain their livelihoods. On a visit to the city of Midland, Cheadle speaks with citizens who have experienced the effect of falling water levels and sinkholes where oil drilling has taken place.

Years of Living Dangerously Season 1, Episode 1, sheds light on the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of the people of Sumatra and Texas. It highlights the urgency to act on the issue and take it seriously. The episode is informative, well-produced, and thought-provoking. It does an excellent job of displaying the consequences of deforestation and drought. The causes of deforestation and climate change are dive in depth briefly.

Overall, "Dry Season" is a captivating episode that takes the audience on an emotional and educational journey. It showcases the complexity of the issue of climate change, and the global devastation it causes. The documentary focuses on the crucial need for action to halt deforestation, and its contribution to the changing climate, and the need for conservation and support for sustainable agricultural practices. This episode serves as a call-to-action to viewers to do their part in protecting the planet. It leaves the audience with an understanding that the degradation of our planet affects us all, making climate change a human rights issue.