PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California's flagship PBS organizations for the premieres of new PBS programs as well as award-winning, original content, today announced plans to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of EARTH DAY with a month-long lineup of environ-mental programming in April.
Since 1970, Earth Day has increased awareness of the planet we live on, pollution, climate change, endangered species and many other environmental issues that are particularly relevant to Southern California audiences. New series and specials for local viewers will feature content that spotlights the best of Earth's natural world while other shows weigh potential solutions to combat climate change. Programming will begin on Sun., April 5 at 6:30 p.m. on KCET as well as on Wed., April 8 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal with over 20 specials, series and documentaries rolling out leading up to Earth Day on April 22 and continuing out through the end of the month.
April also marks the debut of KCET and Link TV's acclaimed original environmental investigative series EARTH FOCUS, in partnership with the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Launched in 2007, EARTH FOCUS is the longest-running investigative environmental news program on U.S. television. The series provides audiences with urgent local and global environmental coverage that spotlights in-depth reports on key issues such as endangered species, climate change, environmental health and sustainable practices. The new season of EARTH FOCUS examines the politics of the environment.
The lineup will telecast as follows (*subject to change):
KAMP SOLUTIONS: "Robert F. Kennedy Jr." – Sun., April 5 at 6:30 p.m. on KCET
In a world where problems consistently dominate the news headline, KAMP SOLUTIONS stands out with a complete focus on solutions. In each episode, the series promises viewers an uplifting, inspiring, and impactful conversation with the goal of becoming a weekly destination for bringing a refreshing solution-driven perspective to global problems. In the premiere episode of the series,
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. welcomes Jurriaan Kamp to his home in LA, to discuss the idea that reversing global warming requires a restoration of democracy. Additional episodes in April include interviews with Rosamund Stone Zander, Amory Lovins and Johan Rockström.
NEW ENVIRONMENTALISTS: "From Liberia to Mongolia" – Sun., April 5 at 7:30 p.m. on KCET
The New Environmentalists share a common goal — safeguarding the Earth's natural resources from exploitation and pollution, while fighting for justice in their communities. Narrated by Robert Redford, the series illustrates how ordinary people are effecting extraordinary change.
NATURE: "Remarkable Rabbits" – Wed., April 8 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Join scientists in the field as they explore how surprising rabbits and hares can be as they face incredible challenges in the wild, from habitat loss to climate change.
THE GOOD ROAD: "Bangkok, Thailand: River of Change" – Sun., April 12 at 7:30 p.m. on KCET
The innovative and inspiring documentary series premieres about two best friends who travel the world meeting philanthropists and change-makers, have dedicated their lives to addressing global humanitarian issues. From depressed inner-city neighborhoods, to border camps for refugees, to rural health clinics, hosts Earl Bridges and Craig Martin explore efforts to help Rohingya refugees, stop elephant poaching, end human trafficking, alleviate poverty and more.
NATURE'S GREATEST DANCERS: "The Dance For Love" – Sun., April 12 at 9 p.m. on KCET
Documentary series exploring the ways animals move. Host Steve Backshall looks at the moves animals make in pursuit of romance.
NATURE: "Naledi: One Little Elephant" – Wed., April 15 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal
The heartwarming journey from tragedy to triumph, baby elephant Naledi faces loss and rejection in the wilderness of Botswana. A team of guardians save her life, urge her to survive and help find her place in the herd.
NATURE'S GREATEST DANCERS: "The Dance For Life" – Sun., April 19 9 p.m. on KCET
The second episode of the two-part special takes a look at some of the extraordinary dance-like moves that animals perform to survive all aspects of life – whether to get around, find a meal or escape from predators.
INDEPENDENT LENS: "The Hottest August" – Mon., April 20 at 10 p.m. PBS SoCal
During one sweltering month in New York in 2017, the film seeks out New Yorkers across the five boroughs and records conversations about skyrocketing rents and rates of homelessness, mass shootings and marching white supremacists, economic crisis and political corruption.
THE MAN WHO TRIED TO FEED THE WORLD: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE – Tues., April 21 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal
This film recounts the story of the man who would not only solve India's famine problem but would go on to lead a "Green Revolution" of worldwide agriculture programs estimated to have saved one billion lives and win the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work.
SPY IN THE WILD, A NATURE MINISERIES: "Friendship" – Wed., April 22 EARTH DAY at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Among the featured Spy Creatures in this episode are a Crocodile, Meerkat, and Cobra as viewers witness how the animals rely on each other to look out for predators. These robotic, uncanny look-alikes infiltrate the natural world to film surprising behavior among wildlife from around the globe.
CLIMATE CHANGE – THE FACTS – Wed., April 22 EARTH DAY at 8 p.m. and Thurs., April 23 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
After one of the hottest years on record, Sir David Attenborough looks at the science of climate change and potential solutions to this global threat.
H20: THE MOLECULE THAT MADE US: "Flow" – Wed., April 22 EARTH DAY at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 26 at 10 p.m. on KCET
This three-part series tells the human story through our relationship to water. The debut episode examines how water underpins every aspect of existence, but that the growth of civilization has also created a dangerous dependence on the precious resource.
NOVA: "Killer Floods" – Wed., April 22 EARTH DAY at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal
All over the world, scientists are discovering traces of ancient floods on a scale that dwarfs even the most severe flood disasters of recent times. Geologists study these strange features and reconstruct catastrophic Ice Age floods more powerful than all the world's top ten rivers combined.
NOVA: "Japan's Killer Quake" – Wed., April 22 EARTH DAY at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal
In its worst crisis since World War II, Japan faces disaster on an epic scale: a death toll likely in the tens of thousands, massive destruction of homes and businesses, shortages of water and power as well as the threat of nuclear meltdown. With exclusive footage, NOVA captures the unfolding human drama and offers a clear-headed investigation of what triggered the earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis.
SINKING CITIES: "New York" – Thurs., April 23 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
A four-part series on the threat of climate change that explores how engineers and scientists build defenses to save the world's great cities. This four-hour, back-to-back marathon on PBS SoCal offers striking simulations of what would happen in four major cities – New York, Miami, London and Tokyo when the next super-storm hits.
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: "Birds of East Africa" – Sun., April 26 at 8 p.m. on KCET
Introduced by esteemed conservationist Jane Goodall, narrated by National Geographic's Bill Jones and photographed by professional wildlife photographer Todd Gustafson captures stories of competition, courtship, family, hunting and flight to illustrate the hidden life of East African birds.
GORILLA FAMILY AND ME: "Episode One" – Sun., April 26 at 9 p.m. on KCET
Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan ventures deep into the Congo to find out more about the largest gorillas in the world living in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes.
NOVA: "Poisoned Water" – Wed., April 29 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal
In this special report, NOVA investigates the water disaster in Flint and unravels a disturbing truth about the vulnerabilities of water systems across the country. Discover the delicate intricacies of water chemistry, the biology of lead poisoning and the engineering challenge of replacing this ravaged infrastructure.
PBS SoCal and KCET's Earth Month content and experiences are part of a commitment to addressing the global issues that impact the planet to open people's minds, lift spirits and
connect people to each other and the world. For a full line-up of environmental-themed programs, please visit pbssocal.org/earthday2020 and kcet.org/earthday2020.
Join the conversation on social media using #EarthDay #EarthDay2020
