National Geographic Channel 2016 TV Series
Years Of Living Dangerously, Season 2
Previews of Episodes 1-8
*National Geographic TV Series “The Years Of Living Dangerously” concerns climate and how it effects the Earth and humanity. There are eight episodes in the series which began Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 and continues through Wednesday, December 14, 2016 on the National Geographic Channel. Composer is Richard Marvin. Each episode is hosted by two celebrities and each episode has a specific theme. Some of the situations encountered by the hosts are dangerous and lets the audience know just what kind of world we have around us. All is not peace and calm, though we wish it were.
Episode 1, “A Race Against Time” with David Letterman and Cecily Strong
This episode ran Sunday, October 30, 2016
Want to see David Letterman again? This episode is his first since leaving “The Late Show.” Letterman has half of this episode and travels to India, while “Saturday Night Live” cast member Cecily Strong is in Florida. Both of them, in their respective areas, try to find out what is stopping the use of solar energy. India has a booming population growth and no power in some areas, while in the U.S. there are always obstacles to cross before anything is done.
Episode 2 “Gathering Storm” with Jack Black and Ian Somerhalder
This episode ran Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Actors Jack Black and Ian Somerhalder take on climate changes in this episode. Black is in Miami, Florida to see how the city would cope with a rise in ocean water along the coast. Somerhalder travels to the Bahamas and takes on the Superstorms that are now occurring because of climate change. Not only would this be hurricanes, but inland, tornadoes.
Episode 3, “The Uprooted” was reviewed and can be read at this link below.
The hosts are Tom Friedman and Don Cheadle. It was shown on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 and involves travel to California and Africa. Topics covered include drought and sea level rise.
Episode 4, “Fueling The Fire” was reviewed and can be read at this link below.
The hosts are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gisele Bundchen. It was shown on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 and involved travel to the Amazon Region of Brazil and the Middle East. Topics covered include the burning of the Brazilian rainforest and the dependence of oil as fuel in the Middle East.
Episode 5 “Collapse Of The Oceans” with Joshua Jackson
This episode runs Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Actor Joshua Jackson goes to the Great Barrier Reef off the Australian Coast to see how climate water change is affecting the coral reefs there. Live coral, and yes, it is alive, is beautiful to behold and in many colors. When it is lifeless, it is like swimming through a graveyard without the headstones. Next, Jackson goes to the Philippines where their reefs serve another purpose---that of food (shelter for fish) and as a protection from storms. Once again, healthy coral aids fish and is a good barrier. Dead coral, well, it is dead. Period.
Episode 6 “Priceless” with Nikki Reed and Aasif Mandvi
This episode runs Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Aasif Mandvi goes to Kenya to check on how climate change is affecting the wild animals there. What he finds is drought, and with drought is less food and less coverage for animals, thus making them stand out and a target for poachers. Killing an endangered species animal for its horn, or ears or tusks is a cowardly act. In the meantime, Nikki Reed travels to Vancouver, Canada to check on controlling carbon there. Emissions are part of the problem and each city's handling of the problem is unique to their environment.
Episode 7, “The Road Before Us” features Ty Burrell and Bradley Whitford.
This episode runs Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Ty Burrell gets the job of checking into the use of electric vehicles (EVS) and even automated vehicles. Now, that is unique, and something to behold as you drive down the highway and are passed by a driverless car. Like the Headless Horseman in the 21st century. If anyone can get an answer to a problem it is the technicians in Silicon Valley. Bradley Whitford goes to Washington, D.C. and checks on activists there trying to persuade congressman to work across party lines. Good luck.
Number 8 (the final episode) of this series, “Uprising” with America Ferrera and Sigourney Weaver
This final episode runs on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
America Ferrera tackles the coal emissions situation and the toxic problem with this source of fuel. She is in Illinois with activists who try to shut down a coal plant, but the town officials want to keep it open. Sigourney Weaver goes to China and their impact on the world environment with their contribution to the emission problem. Nations want to move forward, but how to do it and still have clean air.
For more information on this series see www.yearsoflivingdangerously.
Copyright 2016 Marie Asner
