Earth Focus (2018 - 2026)

Populations are dramatically shifting as climate change drives migration. Droughts and floods are driving many people away from their rural, farming communities into big cities. We see how this is manifesting in Mongolia and examine the factors leading to the new community of Haitian people living in limbo at the border between Mexico and the U.S.

Two cities, San Francisco and Freetown, brace for climate change using vastly different methodologies. San Francisco's developers are building expensive real estate on floodplains as officials try to heed expert projections on future sea levels. A mudslide caused by torrential rains and deforestation in Sierra Leone shows the consequences of city planning that doesn't account for climate change.

Anticipating future water needs, two regions on opposite sides of the world turn to technology for answers. Western Morocco is currently facing drought and groundwater mismanagement, but an ancient method of gathering moisture is being taught. In the Central Valley, California, the food basket of the world uses nearly 80% of the entire state's water supply despite inadequate clean water access.

Communities and innovators all over the world are creating new sustainable food sources that are resilient to climate change and growing populations. In Madagascar, villagers are closing off marine areas to allow the fish supply to replenish at a natural pace. In San Diego, California, aquaculturists are exploring open ocean farming as a more sustainable model for the fishing industry.

With so much biodiversity in the highly urban area of Los Angeles, species are thriving despite human interference, and in some cases because of it.