Polar Extremes: Ice Worlds | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

Paleontologist Kirk Johnson explores the dynamic history—and future—of ice at the poles. (Aired February 5, 2020)

In this two-hour special, renowned paleontologist Kirk Johnson takes us on an epic adventure through time at the polar extremes of our planet. Following a trail of strange fossils found in all the wrong places—beech trees in Antarctica, hippo-like mammals in the Arctic—Johnson uncovers the bizarre history of the poles, from miles-high ice sheets to warm polar forests teeming with life. What caused such dramatic changes at the ends of the Earth? And what can the past reveal about our planet’s climate today—and in the future?

Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction
00:05:49 Hunting for Fossils on Islands near the North and South Poles
00:22:52 Fossil of New Dinosaur Species Found in Patagonia
00:29:04 Was Death Valley Always the Hottest Place on the Planet?
00:37:32 How Have Carbon Dioxide Levels Changed on Earth Over Time?
00:49:18 How Do Ice Sheets Form in Antarctica
00:56:47 How Did Life Persist Through the Ice Age?
01:11:29 Impacts of Rising Temperatures on Ice Cycles of the Planet
01:31:30 What Was the Warm World Like Before the Ice Age
01:43:04 This Cave Has Been Frozen for 100,000 Years
01:50:30 Conclusion

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This program was produced by GBH, which is solely responsible for its content.

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[CoolHand]

What I love about NOVA is that it shows how scientists think and make their conclusions. It also helps us see the world in a different way. Thank you NOVA. Not everyone has the time or talent to get a PhD but this show brings the world of science to regular people.

[Brian-yulb]

If scientists and people of authority were like Kirk Johnson then I truly believe we the people would listen and do everything we could to help out each other and the planet

[SubvertTheState]

This is the Nova I couldn't wait for as a kid. Every Thursday night I would never miss it.
Edit: If you want people to believe that CO2 levels are increasing, and that it has had drastic effects on climate in the past; this is precisely how you do it.

[maggiefriedrichs]

Thanks for putting the originally aired date. I wish all documentary videos would post originally aired date and whether shots are CGI or real. Thanks for sharing information.

[sosaarts]

I love PBS, I love KCET, I love Nova and I miss forever Huell Howser. Thank you for these shows!

[jakehood]

People living in those extreme environments are some of the hardiest humans there are. If they're struggling, how well will the rest of us fare? I had no idea how rare glacial periods are for planet Earth, just one more terrifying thing to learn to add to the pile.

[tristandamosso]

These are my new favorite documentaries, I watch them every night now. Thank you PBS Nova!

[scottharding]

One of the best science documentary shows I’ve ever seen. Great information presented in a way non-scientists can easily understand. Thank you.

[quinn]

Thank you for closed captions! Much appreciated

[Nova-]

Great job Kirk Johnson. This is easy to follow, and very enjoyable to watch. And you are having so much fun collecting Mammoth Tusks. :-) You have such respect for the Elders up North. Thank you for all of your hard work, bringing this valuable information to us. Lets hope we all listen, and take care of this precious Earth.

[RKHageman]

It’s great to see Kirk Johnson, formerly of Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We Denverites miss him!

[zack_]

One of the best documentaries, scientific and comprehensive 👍👍👍

[stevenf]

Very very cool documentary. Thank you for all your efforts

[BrentElisens]

That car turds out of the tailpipe bit lol

[larryhanya]

I was there. The video can't really tell how surreal, dreamlike that place is. The color of water is so unreal.

[HobbyOrganist]

Why would they be surrprised seeing remnants of a forest in the opening minute of the video?
Admiral Peary wrote of finding remains of a petrified connifer forest in Northern Greenland around 1899, it was documented back then

[mascadadelpantion]

So interesting and so beautiful to know. And see anything about the Arctic. And this is all that much more. The reason why it is a dire situation to try to help. The melting ice that is happening right now.

[TheStormey]

OMG I absolutely love this lady, she is so awesome she carried her fossils back with her to show them off to the other guy! What an amazing and incredible place! We've only been here 300, 000 years, which is a blink on this planet, and look what we've done to it!! I literally have tears in my eyes watching this!!
Can you even possibly imagine what it would be like if we haven't done the damage that we have done since Humanity has been here? It's our job to take care of it!

[mollystrack]

This is amazing, the fossils found.
When he starts talking about the amount of carbon cars can leave behind, he calls it car turds, had me 😂😂😂 it's a serious situation.

[robbier]

a unique, excellent documentary , , a totally different aproach.. kudos PBS aka ....kirk {mcgyver}