Editorial

Planet Earth II – Conservation on Film

BBC has, for a long time, defined the role of film and photography in modern conservation. In 2006, the organisation released the flagship series Planet Earth which had been seen in well over 100 countries just one year after its launch. Now, ten years on, the team is back with Planet Earth II – and it’s set to again push the borders in what this medium contributes towards the natural world’s survival

Published

8 years ago

October 5, 2016

Joel Howland

If you watch one trailer this year, make it the one above. This editorial is not intended as an advert for BBC Earth – however sincere our respect is for the group – but rather as a focus on the importance of delivering the beauty and critical status of the world’s ecosystems to a global audience of whom many will never experience such places in person.

The connection that people feel with the environment through documentaries like this, and similarly through photography (read more on that here), can have a major impact on how successful campaigns for conservation projects can be.

Whilst zoos have their (often justified) criticisms, series such as this one represent the importance of seeing animals in their natural habitats: a poignant moment one should never underestimate.

The Details

BBC Earth first announced the making of Planet Earth II in 2013, with the title One Planet later being changed.

Earlier this year, the show’s Executive Producer Mike Gunton outlined for BBC audiences the style of the upcoming series, saying it explores “the characteristics of Earth’s most iconic habitats and the extraordinary ways animals survive within them.

“Ten years after Planet Earth first brought the wonders of the natural world to viewers in HD,” he added, “Planet Earth II is another game-changer. Shot in UHD, the epic scale and ambition of this series is second to none. It will be a truly immersive experience, providing audiences with a unique perspective on the most extraordinary places and animals on our planet.”

To add to the build up, natural history stalwart Sir David Attenborough is back on board to narrate the series. It just may not have been the same without him.