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00:00:08,092 --> 00:00:10,053
- Look at that.
2
00:00:10,094 --> 00:00:12,221
Our beautiful blue planet.
3
00:00:12,263 --> 00:00:14,557
[serene music]
4
00:00:14,599 --> 00:00:16,851
Teeming with living marvels.
5
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[bee buzzes]
[owl hoots]
6
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It looks so peaceful.
7
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But all isn't what it seems.
8
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[music intensifies]
9
00:00:27,612 --> 00:00:31,574
I'm Bill Nye, your tour guide
to the end of the world.
10
00:00:31,616 --> 00:00:33,826
Viewer discretion is advised.
11
00:00:33,868 --> 00:00:35,369
[dramatic music]
12
00:00:35,411 --> 00:00:37,371
Get ready for the worst day
on Earth!
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The biggest extinction event
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since the end
of the dinosaurs.
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Brace yourselves!
16
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Tsunamis are now happening
all along the Pacific Rim.
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[passengers clamoring]
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Nuts?
19
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- Oh...
- [screams]
20
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- Earth is constantly
on the edge of disaster...
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This is the big one.
22
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With threats coming
from everywhere.
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- Go back to your lab,
egghead.
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Leave the drilling to Daddy.
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- And no one...
[screams]
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I mean no one is safe.
27
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[yelling]
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Not even me.
29
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But there is hope, people.
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It doesn't have
to go down that way.
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The power lies
with us to predict,
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prepare for, and even prevent
world-ending disasters with--
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you guessed it--with science.
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Whoo-hoo!
35
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The Earth is in our hands,
and it is up to us
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to keep our amazing planet
alive and well.
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Get back to your
cubicle, James!
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Not today, Fluffy.
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The end is a long way off,
because together,
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we can--dare I say it?
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Change the world!
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* *
43
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[wind howling]
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Greetings!
45
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Bill Nye here.
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I don't know about you,
but the last few years
47
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have made me realize
that things we thought
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were impossible are possible.
49
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We humans live on a planet
with the unlimited potential
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for total annihilation.
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We usually weather
storms like this,
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but this time might be
a little different.
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You see, we've never
seen a hurricane
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this big or this bad.
55
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Whoa!
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[dramatic music]
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* *
58
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[cow mooing]
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Welcome, my friends,
to the Disaster Institute,
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a museum
of catastrophic events
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00:03:24,622 --> 00:03:26,165
that have happened
in the past,
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are happening now,
or could happen at any moment.
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Some of these exhibits will
seem all too familiar.
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Some you've never imagined.
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Others you'll wish
you never heard about.
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None of them is
for the faint of heart.
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We're here to witness
the end of the world.
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But we're also here to see how
we can save it and ourselves.
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A scientific blueprint
for a better tomorrow,
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you might say.
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So which doomsday
shall we visit tonight?
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Ah, a classic,
a world killing asteroid.
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Maybe another time.
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00:04:02,952 --> 00:04:05,788
Nuclear Armageddon?
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00:04:05,830 --> 00:04:06,873
No, not tonight.
76
00:04:06,914 --> 00:04:09,208
You've got to be in the mood.
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Tonight, it's a storm.
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A storm to end all storms.
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The Earth as we know it
will never be the same.
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Fair warning,
the exhibits in this museum
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are highly interactive.
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There are no life jackets,
no seat belts,
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and no exit doors.
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[foreboding music]
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[snakes hissing]
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Well, that's troubling.
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You ready?
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Hope so.
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Storms have both ravaged
and nourished Earth
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for billions of years.
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Long before we ever got here,
there were mighty storms.
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Here's what our planet
might have looked like
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in the first
billion years or so.
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Pretty, but I wouldn't want
to build a summer home there.
95
00:05:03,262 --> 00:05:05,723
- [grunting]
96
00:05:07,725 --> 00:05:10,895
- Of all the dangers
our ancestors faced,
97
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one of the scariest
must have been
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when the clouds
darkened and roared
99
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and the ocean fell
from the sky.
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Just ask our friend,
Cor, here.
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He'd be the first to tell you.
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Back then,
Earth controlled our fate.
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- [grunting]
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- I know it was tough,
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but you got us this far, man.
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[thunder rumbling]
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Many cultures have been
fascinated by storms.
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The Sumerians spoke of a great
flood that drowned the Earth.
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The Inca too.
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Shakespeare himself wrote
a play called "The Tempest"
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that takes place
during an epic storm.
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And consider this.
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Once movies were invented,
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the disaster movie
wasn't far behind.
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[dramatic music]
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[people screaming]
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* *
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In every age, it seems, we've
had a fascination with storms.
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We even give them names.
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We started naming hurricanes
back in 1950,
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and every year,
the family grows.
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* *
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You may recognize
some of these names.
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Isabel, Michael,
Katrina, Sandy, Patricia.
125
00:06:43,821 --> 00:06:46,032
You may have even lived
through some of them.
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All of these were
deadly storms,
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but some were worse
than others.
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Category 1 storms
can have wind speeds
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up to 95 miles an hour.
130
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That's strong enough
to rip the roof off a house.
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00:06:58,419 --> 00:07:01,923
Category 5 storms have winds
of 150 miles an hour.
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00:07:01,964 --> 00:07:04,634
They can level
entire neighborhoods.
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00:07:04,675 --> 00:07:06,969
Hurricane Sandy,
which hammered New York
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00:07:07,011 --> 00:07:09,764
a few years back,
was only a Cat 3.
135
00:07:09,806 --> 00:07:12,975
And Katrina, the one
that sank New Orleans,
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that was the worst kind,
a Category 5.
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By the time
we leave this museum,
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there'll be another
name on the wall.
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Several names, actually.
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[dramatic music]
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* *
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It's time for the museum's
most thrilling attraction.
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We're about to take a ride
on our disaster simulator.
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Sound scary?
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Well, I hope so.
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I want you to experience
this disaster firsthand
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from three points of view.
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A young shop owner
on the ground
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who has to make
a fateful decision.
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An air traveler in the sky
on a flight from hell.
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00:08:00,022 --> 00:08:02,275
And a scientist in a bunker,
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00:08:02,316 --> 00:08:05,570
fighting to sound the alarm
and save lives.
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00:08:06,404 --> 00:08:09,115
No one is safe--not even me.
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00:08:09,157 --> 00:08:12,368
Come to think of it, I'll be
lucky to make it out alive.
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00:08:12,410 --> 00:08:14,162
Viewer discretion is advised.
156
00:08:14,203 --> 00:08:17,165
[machine humming]
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00:08:17,206 --> 00:08:20,168
[tense music]
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* *
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Our story begins here
in the not-so-distant future.
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The trouble was first spotted
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00:08:39,062 --> 00:08:41,564
aboard the
International Space Station.
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00:08:41,606 --> 00:08:43,775
Looking out the window
one orbit,
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00:08:43,816 --> 00:08:48,321
astronauts noticed
that Earth looks strange.
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00:08:48,362 --> 00:08:50,031
Almost like it's on fire.
165
00:08:50,073 --> 00:08:52,033
Are those clouds or smoke?
166
00:08:52,075 --> 00:08:54,160
It prompts the ISS to alert
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their fellow Earthlings
down below,
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who don't have the benefit
of a 250-mile high view.
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00:09:01,167 --> 00:09:08,091
* *
170
00:09:08,132 --> 00:09:11,511
It looks like smoke,
but looks can be deceiving.
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The world isn't on fire.
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Quite the opposite.
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The world is about to drown.
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00:09:17,558 --> 00:09:21,020
Those white and gray bands
are transverse cirrus clouds,
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and they form at the edge
of storm systems
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00:09:22,939 --> 00:09:26,651
or perpendicular
to a jet stream.
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00:09:26,692 --> 00:09:29,320
It's summertime--
Hurricane season.
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00:09:29,362 --> 00:09:31,656
Those cirrus clouds
are a warning sign
179
00:09:31,697 --> 00:09:34,325
that something very large
and unprecedented
180
00:09:34,367 --> 00:09:35,827
is taking shape.
181
00:09:35,868 --> 00:09:38,538
We've never seen this many
tropical depressions
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00:09:38,579 --> 00:09:40,873
or the oceans this warm.
183
00:09:40,915 --> 00:09:42,917
The whole Earth
seems poised to burst
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into a set of superstorms.
185
00:09:45,586 --> 00:09:48,798
My esteemed colleague
is a storm analyst talking
186
00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:51,384
to the National Hurricane
Center branch chief
187
00:09:51,426 --> 00:09:53,010
and other government agencies.
188
00:09:53,052 --> 00:09:55,680
Computer weather modeling
predicts as many
189
00:09:55,722 --> 00:09:58,933
as two or three
major hurricanes
190
00:09:58,975 --> 00:10:00,893
could be tracking
toward the United States
191
00:10:00,935 --> 00:10:02,937
at the same time.
192
00:10:02,979 --> 00:10:06,441
The good news is,
now our scientist can warn us.
193
00:10:06,482 --> 00:10:08,776
She saves the day, right?
194
00:10:08,818 --> 00:10:10,695
Wrong!
195
00:10:10,737 --> 00:10:13,448
Government officials say
it's too early,
196
00:10:13,489 --> 00:10:16,159
and this guy,
the Secretary of Commerce,
197
00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:18,286
is adamant
that any storm warning
198
00:10:18,327 --> 00:10:20,371
is a crazy overreaction.
199
00:10:20,413 --> 00:10:23,291
- People are sick
of all the doom and gloom!
200
00:10:23,332 --> 00:10:24,876
They don't want it
from the government,
201
00:10:24,917 --> 00:10:27,837
and they sure as hell don't
want it from the weatherman!
202
00:10:27,879 --> 00:10:30,339
[playful music]
203
00:10:31,549 --> 00:10:34,886
- This is what I like
to call an "act of cow."
204
00:10:34,927 --> 00:10:36,345
[dramatic music]
[cow moos]
205
00:10:36,387 --> 00:10:39,348
Act of cow symbolizes
the human negligence
206
00:10:39,390 --> 00:10:42,393
that can trigger a disaster
or make one worse.
207
00:10:42,435 --> 00:10:45,438
It's inspired by a bovine
named Daisy, who,
208
00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:48,024
as legend has it,
kicked over a lantern
209
00:10:48,066 --> 00:10:50,568
and started
the Great Chicago Fire.
210
00:10:50,610 --> 00:10:52,195
[cow mooing]
211
00:10:52,236 --> 00:10:54,363
Like the Secretary
of Commerce blocking
212
00:10:54,405 --> 00:10:56,240
a potential
life-saving warning
213
00:10:56,282 --> 00:10:58,367
from the
National Weather Service.
214
00:10:58,409 --> 00:10:59,869
He's our cow.
215
00:10:59,911 --> 00:11:01,871
- Oh, you're a cow, Nye!
216
00:11:01,913 --> 00:11:03,331
- Sir, this is not helpful.
217
00:11:03,372 --> 00:11:06,042
- The best our fearless
storm analyst could do
218
00:11:06,084 --> 00:11:08,544
was convince him
to make the FAA aware
219
00:11:08,586 --> 00:11:11,172
of the cirrus clouds,
which are known to cause
220
00:11:11,214 --> 00:11:13,925
what pilots call
"clear air turbulence,"
221
00:11:13,966 --> 00:11:15,968
and plenty of trouble
for airplanes.
222
00:11:16,010 --> 00:11:18,971
[plane engine roaring]
223
00:11:19,013 --> 00:11:22,308
[ominous music]
224
00:11:22,350 --> 00:11:23,684
- This is your captain
speaking.
225
00:11:23,726 --> 00:11:25,645
We just got an update
from the weather folks
226
00:11:25,686 --> 00:11:27,397
about that big storm system.
227
00:11:27,438 --> 00:11:28,815
We've decided
to fly around it,
228
00:11:28,856 --> 00:11:31,692
which will delay our arrival
by an hour or more.
229
00:11:31,734 --> 00:11:33,236
Thank you.
230
00:11:33,277 --> 00:11:36,155
- Why is it that every
disaster movie begins
231
00:11:36,197 --> 00:11:39,951
with someone in power
ignoring a scientist?
232
00:11:39,992 --> 00:11:42,245
Because it happens more
than you might think.
233
00:11:42,286 --> 00:11:45,081
There are too many incentives
to ignore bad news.
234
00:11:45,123 --> 00:11:47,083
In this case,
the potential damage
235
00:11:47,125 --> 00:11:49,168
to the economy
and the backlash
236
00:11:49,210 --> 00:11:51,087
against government mandates.
237
00:11:51,129 --> 00:11:54,090
This is just one
of several lousy decisions
238
00:11:54,132 --> 00:11:55,591
that will make
everything worse.
239
00:11:55,633 --> 00:11:59,053
[bell chimes]
240
00:11:59,095 --> 00:12:01,556
Nature and human nature
will conspire to create
241
00:12:01,597 --> 00:12:03,725
the worst possible scenario.
242
00:12:03,766 --> 00:12:07,520
* *
243
00:12:07,562 --> 00:12:09,230
This is gonna really suck.
244
00:12:14,402 --> 00:12:17,947
[horns honking]
245
00:12:17,989 --> 00:12:19,407
It's Friday afternoon,
246
00:12:19,449 --> 00:12:21,242
and the good people
of Houston, Texas,
247
00:12:21,284 --> 00:12:23,578
are looking forward
to the weekend.
248
00:12:23,619 --> 00:12:26,122
It's been a few days
since our scientist
249
00:12:26,164 --> 00:12:28,624
issued her warning
about the storms brewing
250
00:12:28,666 --> 00:12:29,917
in the Atlantic.
251
00:12:29,959 --> 00:12:31,794
Two of them
are getting stronger.
252
00:12:31,836 --> 00:12:34,005
More are forming
off the Gulf Coast,
253
00:12:34,047 --> 00:12:37,133
the Atlantic seaboard,
and in the Pacific Ocean.
254
00:12:37,175 --> 00:12:39,594
The NHC has finally
been allowed to issue
255
00:12:39,635 --> 00:12:42,764
its storm advisory,
but people around here
256
00:12:42,805 --> 00:12:44,891
are hardly paying
any attention.
257
00:12:44,932 --> 00:12:47,310
"What's a little rain?"
they say.
258
00:12:47,351 --> 00:12:49,145
Just goes to show
we're not very good
259
00:12:49,187 --> 00:12:51,147
at recognizing danger.
260
00:12:51,189 --> 00:12:54,233
Even when it's right there
or right here,
261
00:12:54,275 --> 00:12:56,486
staring us in the face.
262
00:12:56,527 --> 00:13:03,451
* *
263
00:13:07,413 --> 00:13:09,040
Case in point,
264
00:13:09,082 --> 00:13:11,959
this coffee shop
just reopened its doors,
265
00:13:12,001 --> 00:13:14,128
and the last thing
this owner wants to do
266
00:13:14,170 --> 00:13:16,172
is put up
the closed sign again.
267
00:13:16,214 --> 00:13:18,174
This shop was always
her dream,
268
00:13:18,216 --> 00:13:20,635
and her dream
is open for business.
269
00:13:20,676 --> 00:13:24,097
She's put the past two years
into this place.
270
00:13:24,138 --> 00:13:26,391
Every day, every penny.
271
00:13:26,432 --> 00:13:30,269
Right now,
this shop is her life.
272
00:13:30,311 --> 00:13:33,481
Storms, storm advisories,
hurricane hysteria,
273
00:13:33,523 --> 00:13:35,858
she's been
through it all before.
274
00:13:35,900 --> 00:13:38,194
Besides, what can
she even do about it?
275
00:13:38,236 --> 00:13:40,321
The weather does
what the weather does.
276
00:13:40,363 --> 00:13:42,698
She's got a shop to run
and can't afford
277
00:13:42,740 --> 00:13:45,993
to lose another day,
much less another customer.
278
00:13:46,035 --> 00:13:49,539
[thunder rumbling]
[indistinct chatter]
279
00:13:49,580 --> 00:13:53,543
Over the next two days,
the weather does plenty.
280
00:13:53,584 --> 00:13:56,879
Record warm ocean temperatures
have spawned five--
281
00:13:56,921 --> 00:14:00,216
five monstrous storms
threatening billions of people
282
00:14:00,258 --> 00:14:02,218
on three continents.
283
00:14:02,260 --> 00:14:05,012
Unprecedented
in recorded history.
284
00:14:05,054 --> 00:14:07,181
[tense music]
285
00:14:07,223 --> 00:14:09,142
Storm Alpha,
as it's now known,
286
00:14:09,183 --> 00:14:13,104
gathers steam in the Atlantic
and threatens the Gulf Coast.
287
00:14:13,146 --> 00:14:14,856
What they're calling
Storm Beta
288
00:14:14,897 --> 00:14:16,649
is forming in the Arabian Sea
289
00:14:16,691 --> 00:14:20,403
and looks to make landfall
on Northern India.
290
00:14:20,445 --> 00:14:22,697
Storm Gamma
in the Philippine Sea
291
00:14:22,739 --> 00:14:26,367
will undoubtedly ravage
mainland Japan.
292
00:14:26,409 --> 00:14:28,369
Storm Delta
in the South Atlantic
293
00:14:28,411 --> 00:14:30,872
has Brazil in its crosshairs.
294
00:14:30,913 --> 00:14:34,417
And number five,
Storm Epsilon in the Pacific
295
00:14:34,459 --> 00:14:38,796
is on a collision course
with Southern California.
296
00:14:38,838 --> 00:14:41,591
Each one of these storms
has the potential
297
00:14:41,632 --> 00:14:44,343
to become a Category 5.
298
00:14:44,385 --> 00:14:47,930
These meteorologists
are just beginning to realize
299
00:14:47,972 --> 00:14:49,557
how bad things could get.
300
00:14:51,225 --> 00:14:53,895
The five hurricanes will
come to be known
301
00:14:53,936 --> 00:14:55,480
as the Hydra Storm,
302
00:14:55,521 --> 00:14:57,565
named after
the multi-headed monster
303
00:14:57,607 --> 00:14:59,942
in Greek mythology,
Roman mythology,
304
00:14:59,984 --> 00:15:02,111
and the Marvel universe.
305
00:15:02,153 --> 00:15:04,155
And this beast is
about to strike!
306
00:15:06,699 --> 00:15:08,659
Not today, Fluffy.
307
00:15:10,495 --> 00:15:11,829
Not today.
308
00:15:11,871 --> 00:15:19,003
* *
309
00:15:28,096 --> 00:15:31,015
[tense music]
310
00:15:31,057 --> 00:15:33,476
* *
311
00:15:33,518 --> 00:15:36,229
- The mighty Hydra Storm
we've been tracking
312
00:15:36,270 --> 00:15:39,357
is really five
enormous storms.
313
00:15:39,399 --> 00:15:43,111
And this one, which people
are calling Storm Alpha,
314
00:15:43,152 --> 00:15:45,988
began forming
in the mid-Atlantic.
315
00:15:46,030 --> 00:15:50,618
They're predicting it will
make landfall by nightfall.
316
00:15:53,204 --> 00:15:55,665
After the Hurricane Center
is finally allowed
317
00:15:55,706 --> 00:15:58,793
to issue a warning,
the people of Houston
318
00:15:58,835 --> 00:16:00,878
are already in grave danger.
319
00:16:00,920 --> 00:16:02,338
- Officials are
advising residents
320
00:16:02,380 --> 00:16:05,007
to shelter in place
and prepare for high winds
321
00:16:05,049 --> 00:16:07,135
and intense flooding.
322
00:16:07,176 --> 00:16:09,345
Widespread power outages
are also expected,
323
00:16:09,387 --> 00:16:11,639
along with disruptions
in the supply chain.
324
00:16:11,681 --> 00:16:14,559
[indistinct chatter]
325
00:16:18,688 --> 00:16:21,941
- So everyone rushes
to stock up on supplies.
326
00:16:21,983 --> 00:16:25,820
Water, candles,
batteries, toilet paper.
327
00:16:25,862 --> 00:16:27,613
A little beef brisket.
328
00:16:27,655 --> 00:16:29,198
You know, the essentials.
329
00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:32,493
A voluntary evacuation order
is also given,
330
00:16:32,535 --> 00:16:34,996
but many of the residents
decide to stay put
331
00:16:35,037 --> 00:16:36,956
and ride out the storm.
332
00:16:36,998 --> 00:16:40,168
Louisiana is going to get hit
the hardest, everyone says.
333
00:16:40,209 --> 00:16:43,004
Texas will be spared
the worst of it.
334
00:16:43,046 --> 00:16:44,922
But there's a funny thing
about hurricanes.
335
00:16:44,964 --> 00:16:46,716
They tend to do
what they want.
336
00:16:46,758 --> 00:16:50,178
They wander, exchanging energy
with the wind and the ocean
337
00:16:50,219 --> 00:16:52,472
in what's called
self-advection.
338
00:16:52,513 --> 00:16:54,807
By the time Storm Alpha
reaches shore,
339
00:16:54,849 --> 00:16:56,476
it will have altered course
340
00:16:56,517 --> 00:17:00,021
and be headed straight
for Houston.
341
00:17:00,063 --> 00:17:02,982
[thunder rumbling]
342
00:17:03,024 --> 00:17:09,947
* *
343
00:17:27,340 --> 00:17:30,718
Authorities dispatch
first responders in Houston
344
00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:32,595
and from neighboring states
345
00:17:32,637 --> 00:17:36,057
to render aid
as Storm Alpha moves.
346
00:17:36,099 --> 00:17:40,269
But bravery and expertise
can only take you so far.
347
00:17:40,311 --> 00:17:42,313
The coming storms
will make short work
348
00:17:42,355 --> 00:17:44,565
of any rescue efforts.
349
00:17:46,275 --> 00:17:49,404
[thunder rumbling]
350
00:17:51,239 --> 00:17:54,617
We're on an international
flight from Paris to Houston.
351
00:17:54,659 --> 00:17:56,994
And that's
a cumulonimbus cloud,
352
00:17:57,036 --> 00:17:59,080
otherwise known
as a thunderhead,
353
00:17:59,122 --> 00:18:01,874
the telltale sign
of a storm like this.
354
00:18:01,916 --> 00:18:03,960
A biggie, by the looks of it.
355
00:18:04,001 --> 00:18:05,878
- Ladies and gentlemen,
this is your captain speaking.
356
00:18:05,920 --> 00:18:08,548
We are experiencing
some moderate turbulence
357
00:18:08,589 --> 00:18:12,218
as we navigate around this
rather large storm system.
358
00:18:12,260 --> 00:18:14,387
So I'm gonna ask
that you remain in your seats
359
00:18:14,429 --> 00:18:16,389
with your seat belts
securely fastened.
360
00:18:16,431 --> 00:18:18,349
Flight attendants,
please secure the cabin.
361
00:18:19,851 --> 00:18:23,563
- The pilots still believe
they can fly around the storm.
362
00:18:23,604 --> 00:18:25,982
But that was before
the Storm Alpha
363
00:18:26,023 --> 00:18:29,235
altered its path a little
without warning.
364
00:18:29,277 --> 00:18:32,572
* *
365
00:18:32,613 --> 00:18:34,449
[laughing]
Moderate turbulence?
366
00:18:34,490 --> 00:18:36,617
No. No.
367
00:18:38,077 --> 00:18:39,996
Nuts?
368
00:18:40,037 --> 00:18:47,170
* *
369
00:18:53,009 --> 00:18:55,720
[wind howling]
370
00:18:57,889 --> 00:19:00,349
Mandatory evacuation orders
are finally
371
00:19:00,391 --> 00:19:02,685
given to all affected cities.
372
00:19:02,727 --> 00:19:05,396
The National Guard
is placed on high alert,
373
00:19:05,438 --> 00:19:08,775
but they're powerless
until it's safe to go back in.
374
00:19:08,816 --> 00:19:13,071
All the world can do now
is hang on for dear life.
375
00:19:14,739 --> 00:19:17,366
Many residents
are fleeing their homes,
376
00:19:17,408 --> 00:19:19,911
even though it means
having no idea what might
377
00:19:19,952 --> 00:19:21,954
be left when they return.
378
00:19:21,996 --> 00:19:25,083
[car horns honking]
379
00:19:27,251 --> 00:19:30,963
Others decide to stay put
in order to protect the things
380
00:19:31,005 --> 00:19:33,174
they've worked so hard for.
381
00:19:33,216 --> 00:19:34,967
Some of these people
have experienced
382
00:19:35,009 --> 00:19:38,262
near misses before,
and are hoping like hell
383
00:19:38,304 --> 00:19:41,265
this next storm will be
more of the same.
384
00:19:41,307 --> 00:19:44,310
For them,
it's worth the risk--
385
00:19:44,352 --> 00:19:47,188
or it seems to be.
386
00:19:47,230 --> 00:19:48,898
- Weather experts
are now predicting
387
00:19:48,940 --> 00:19:51,401
that it will become
a full-blown hurricane
388
00:19:51,442 --> 00:19:53,986
by nightfall,
a Category 4 at least--
389
00:19:54,028 --> 00:19:56,239
some say Category 5.
390
00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:57,782
The conditions
are changing rapidly,
391
00:19:57,824 --> 00:19:59,826
and that could affect
the hurricane's intensity
392
00:19:59,867 --> 00:20:02,620
and where it ultimately
makes landfall.
393
00:20:06,541 --> 00:20:09,711
- Over the next few days,
the five hurricanes,
394
00:20:09,752 --> 00:20:11,671
all Category 5 strength,
395
00:20:11,713 --> 00:20:14,716
will make landfall
on three continents.
396
00:20:14,757 --> 00:20:17,260
By the time it's done,
the Hydra Storm
397
00:20:17,301 --> 00:20:19,429
will alter coastlines forever
398
00:20:19,470 --> 00:20:22,056
and devastate
our civilization.
399
00:20:22,098 --> 00:20:26,644
* *
400
00:20:30,314 --> 00:20:33,276
[dramatic music]
401
00:20:33,317 --> 00:20:37,238
* *
402
00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:40,158
- Fortunately for us,
hurricanes are very wide,
403
00:20:40,199 --> 00:20:42,118
but they're also very low.
404
00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:44,370
We've ascended to 35,000 feet,
405
00:20:44,412 --> 00:20:46,789
10,000 meters
above Storm Alpha,
406
00:20:46,831 --> 00:20:48,541
to a safe altitude.
407
00:20:48,583 --> 00:20:52,170
I guess it depends
what you mean by safe.
408
00:20:52,211 --> 00:20:54,464
It's been a long flight,
and the airplane
409
00:20:54,505 --> 00:20:56,340
is getting low on fuel.
410
00:20:56,382 --> 00:20:58,509
For some reason,
we've lost contact
411
00:20:58,551 --> 00:21:00,762
with air traffic control.
412
00:21:00,803 --> 00:21:02,722
There's no choice
but to attempt a landing
413
00:21:02,764 --> 00:21:06,392
in Houston before the hurricane
gets any stronger.
414
00:21:08,436 --> 00:21:09,937
This is fine.
415
00:21:11,647 --> 00:21:12,940
It's fine.
416
00:21:14,525 --> 00:21:17,445
[intense music]
417
00:21:17,487 --> 00:21:24,452
* *
418
00:21:36,506 --> 00:21:39,175
[glass shattering]
419
00:21:42,387 --> 00:21:45,515
The weight of the water
causes the entire city
420
00:21:45,556 --> 00:21:47,683
to sink 5 inches.
421
00:21:47,725 --> 00:21:49,060
Yes, really.
422
00:21:49,102 --> 00:21:50,603
Millions of residents
are threatened
423
00:21:50,645 --> 00:21:53,856
by sledgehammer winds
and massive storm surges
424
00:21:53,898 --> 00:21:57,568
that will drown entire
neighborhoods in minutes.
425
00:21:57,610 --> 00:22:01,030
The evacuation order
was given too late.
426
00:22:01,072 --> 00:22:04,117
Many victims won't
be able to escape.
427
00:22:06,536 --> 00:22:09,664
While others made
the fateful decision
428
00:22:09,705 --> 00:22:11,457
to ride out the storm.
429
00:22:11,499 --> 00:22:13,126
- Storm Alpha's
powerful winds
430
00:22:13,167 --> 00:22:15,002
are causing
record-breaking surges
431
00:22:15,044 --> 00:22:16,504
throughout downtown Houston,
432
00:22:16,546 --> 00:22:20,216
some as high as 20 feet
above sea level.
433
00:22:20,258 --> 00:22:22,135
If you are in the city,
please,
434
00:22:22,176 --> 00:22:23,678
please find shelter above--
435
00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:25,388
- [gasps]
436
00:22:25,430 --> 00:22:26,806
[thunder rumbling]
437
00:22:26,848 --> 00:22:28,683
[clattering]
438
00:22:28,725 --> 00:22:31,686
[tense music]
439
00:22:31,728 --> 00:22:38,109
* *
440
00:22:39,235 --> 00:22:41,112
- As the Gulf Coast
is ravaged,
441
00:22:41,154 --> 00:22:43,364
the other four heads
of the Hydra Storm
442
00:22:43,406 --> 00:22:46,534
are making landfall
with equal fury.
443
00:22:46,576 --> 00:22:53,499
* *
444
00:23:08,765 --> 00:23:11,350
[people screaming]
445
00:23:14,771 --> 00:23:18,024
[siren wailing]
446
00:23:18,066 --> 00:23:24,405
* *
447
00:23:25,948 --> 00:23:27,283
- [gasping]
448
00:23:33,581 --> 00:23:37,752
* *
449
00:23:37,794 --> 00:23:40,713
[helicopter droning]
450
00:23:46,052 --> 00:23:48,638
[people screaming]
451
00:23:53,017 --> 00:23:56,145
[plane rattling]
452
00:23:57,146 --> 00:23:58,606
- [breathing raggedly]
453
00:24:00,817 --> 00:24:03,694
[indistinct chatter]
454
00:24:06,072 --> 00:24:09,033
- Unfortunately,
the pilot's miscalculated.
455
00:24:09,075 --> 00:24:11,035
This flight won't
be able to land.
456
00:24:11,077 --> 00:24:12,203
[person screams]
457
00:24:18,251 --> 00:24:21,546
I mean, technically,
it'll land on something.
458
00:24:21,587 --> 00:24:24,132
- Will you shut
the [bleep] up!
459
00:24:24,173 --> 00:24:27,301
[people screaming]
460
00:24:42,859 --> 00:24:45,695
[clattering]
461
00:24:46,946 --> 00:24:50,074
- [gasping]
462
00:25:01,252 --> 00:25:04,380
[glass cracking]
463
00:25:08,468 --> 00:25:11,220
[screams]
464
00:25:17,393 --> 00:25:20,188
- Well, as you can see,
it's not just flooding
465
00:25:20,229 --> 00:25:21,856
you got to worry about.
466
00:25:21,898 --> 00:25:23,566
It's wind too.
467
00:25:23,608 --> 00:25:26,235
Right now,
it's at a peak intensity.
468
00:25:26,277 --> 00:25:30,364
210 miles an hour,
a new record.
469
00:25:30,406 --> 00:25:34,452
The first Category 6
hurricane in history.
470
00:25:34,494 --> 00:25:36,079
Whoa!
471
00:25:36,120 --> 00:25:37,538
Ah!
472
00:25:37,580 --> 00:25:38,873
[screaming]
473
00:25:38,915 --> 00:25:39,874
[grunts]
474
00:25:39,916 --> 00:25:41,209
Oh, no!
475
00:25:41,250 --> 00:25:44,420
[screaming]
476
00:25:51,594 --> 00:25:54,013
- [groaning]
477
00:25:54,055 --> 00:25:56,557
While the United States
has better infrastructure
478
00:25:56,599 --> 00:25:58,309
than many nations,
479
00:25:58,351 --> 00:26:01,020
government officials'
reluctance to act,
480
00:26:01,062 --> 00:26:02,897
delays in the
chain of command,
481
00:26:02,939 --> 00:26:06,067
and the fast-moving nature
of the Hydra Storm
482
00:26:06,109 --> 00:26:08,736
all delivered a death toll
to the United States
483
00:26:08,778 --> 00:26:11,155
of 200,000 people.
484
00:26:11,197 --> 00:26:14,867
Around the world,
another 12 million are dead.
485
00:26:14,909 --> 00:26:17,495
The economic losses
are in the trillions.
486
00:26:17,537 --> 00:26:21,082
We're talking about instant
mass unemployment, riots,
487
00:26:21,124 --> 00:26:24,252
neighbor against neighbor,
desperate people
488
00:26:24,293 --> 00:26:26,879
searching desperately
for something to eat
489
00:26:26,921 --> 00:26:28,923
and water to drink.
490
00:26:28,965 --> 00:26:31,259
Extremist groups managed
to topple
491
00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:34,429
vulnerable governments
just like that.
492
00:26:34,470 --> 00:26:39,100
In short, the world
is a hot mess.
493
00:26:39,142 --> 00:26:42,437
The environmental
devastation was enormous.
494
00:26:42,478 --> 00:26:45,940
The Hydra Storm ripped its way
through America's heartland,
495
00:26:45,982 --> 00:26:49,026
flooding 100,000 square miles.
496
00:26:49,068 --> 00:26:52,905
These floodplains used
to be the Great Plains--
497
00:26:52,947 --> 00:26:56,492
where we grew our crops,
where our food came from.
498
00:26:56,534 --> 00:26:57,994
So now what, people?
499
00:26:58,035 --> 00:27:00,747
Well, we're gonna starve.
500
00:27:00,788 --> 00:27:02,915
[dramatic music]
501
00:27:02,957 --> 00:27:04,709
[machine humming]
502
00:27:04,751 --> 00:27:05,960
Whew!
503
00:27:06,002 --> 00:27:07,712
I hope that was fun--
504
00:27:07,754 --> 00:27:09,255
for you.
505
00:27:09,297 --> 00:27:11,632
Did things have to be
this bad?
506
00:27:11,674 --> 00:27:12,967
No!
507
00:27:13,009 --> 00:27:14,969
Is there any way we could
have seen this coming
508
00:27:15,011 --> 00:27:16,888
and done a lot better?
509
00:27:16,929 --> 00:27:18,056
Chyah!
510
00:27:18,097 --> 00:27:19,557
But first thing's first,
511
00:27:19,599 --> 00:27:21,934
let's demystify this disaster.
512
00:27:21,976 --> 00:27:25,730
Let's explore
the anatomy of a storm.
513
00:27:25,772 --> 00:27:27,732
I've prepared a little demo.
514
00:27:27,774 --> 00:27:29,192
Let's go to the bat cave.
515
00:27:29,233 --> 00:27:31,778
Well, there are no bats,
and it's not really a cave.
516
00:27:31,819 --> 00:27:33,696
It's up here.
517
00:27:33,738 --> 00:27:36,741
[inquisitive music]
518
00:27:36,783 --> 00:27:39,077
Now big storms,
like hurricanes,
519
00:27:39,118 --> 00:27:43,289
form at sea, driven by the
upward motion of warm air.
520
00:27:43,331 --> 00:27:46,125
Now for our model storm
in a jar here,
521
00:27:46,167 --> 00:27:48,503
we have heat
from our model Sun,
522
00:27:48,544 --> 00:27:52,090
along with our miniature
cold ocean.
523
00:27:52,131 --> 00:27:55,885
The temperature difference
is driving a current,
524
00:27:55,927 --> 00:27:58,554
a circulation of air
and water vapor.
525
00:27:58,596 --> 00:28:03,559
Let's add a little smoke so we
can see the motion of the air.
526
00:28:03,601 --> 00:28:07,230
In a storm, when the rising
air hits the stratosphere,
527
00:28:07,271 --> 00:28:10,525
it moves sideways
before it falls back down.
528
00:28:10,566 --> 00:28:13,444
If enough air is moving,
the combined forces
529
00:28:13,486 --> 00:28:15,780
of gravity
and Earth's rotation
530
00:28:15,822 --> 00:28:18,950
make a storm system spin.
531
00:28:18,991 --> 00:28:21,244
That's what gives
hurricanes and cyclones
532
00:28:21,285 --> 00:28:24,205
their signature swirl.
533
00:28:24,247 --> 00:28:27,250
Okay, heat powers storms.
534
00:28:27,291 --> 00:28:29,544
Where is all that heat
coming from?
535
00:28:29,585 --> 00:28:32,338
Just like in our model,
it begins with the Sun.
536
00:28:32,380 --> 00:28:36,634
But what really matters is
where that solar heat ends up.
537
00:28:36,676 --> 00:28:41,514
On Earth, most of the heat
gets stored in the ocean.
538
00:28:41,556 --> 00:28:44,726
You may not believe me,
but this tub contains
539
00:28:44,767 --> 00:28:46,394
over a ton of water.
540
00:28:46,436 --> 00:28:49,147
Water is heavy.
It can hold a lot of heat.
541
00:28:49,188 --> 00:28:51,441
Did you ever jump in a lake,
a cold one?
542
00:28:51,482 --> 00:28:54,110
I have.
You feel it everywhere.
543
00:28:54,152 --> 00:28:56,154
Water carries heat
away from your body
544
00:28:56,195 --> 00:28:58,740
25 times faster than air.
545
00:28:58,781 --> 00:28:59,907
[musical sting]
546
00:28:59,949 --> 00:29:04,620
* *
547
00:29:04,662 --> 00:29:06,414
[sighs]
548
00:29:06,456 --> 00:29:10,043
Warm water also stores
heat energy well.
549
00:29:10,084 --> 00:29:11,836
It's like a thermal battery.
550
00:29:11,878 --> 00:29:14,672
Heat energy from the surface
of the ocean is the battery
551
00:29:14,714 --> 00:29:17,383
that powers our hurricanes
and cyclones.
552
00:29:17,425 --> 00:29:20,511
The warmer the ocean,
the stronger the storms.
553
00:29:20,553 --> 00:29:24,432
Our oceans are getting warmer
and warmer each year.
554
00:29:24,474 --> 00:29:25,641
[grunts]
555
00:29:25,683 --> 00:29:29,812
* *
556
00:29:29,854 --> 00:29:33,775
Red on the map shows where
the temperatures are rising.
557
00:29:33,816 --> 00:29:34,901
Take a look.
558
00:29:34,942 --> 00:29:37,111
There's a hell
of a lot of red!
559
00:29:39,655 --> 00:29:41,783
The warming oceans
are giving rise
560
00:29:41,824 --> 00:29:44,243
to more intense,
violent storms
561
00:29:44,285 --> 00:29:48,456
and to the very real
possibility of a hydra storm.
562
00:29:48,498 --> 00:29:50,792
But why are the oceans
getting warmer?
563
00:29:50,833 --> 00:29:52,335
What's changing?
564
00:29:52,377 --> 00:29:55,963
To answer that question,
we'll have to go back in time.
565
00:29:56,005 --> 00:29:59,550
All the way back
to when fire was new.
566
00:29:59,592 --> 00:30:02,261
[insects chirping]
567
00:30:02,303 --> 00:30:04,847
We've been at this
a long time.
568
00:30:04,889 --> 00:30:08,351
Charred bones and wood ash
tell us that early hominids
569
00:30:08,393 --> 00:30:10,478
were tending
the very first fires
570
00:30:10,520 --> 00:30:12,271
more than a million years ago.
571
00:30:12,313 --> 00:30:15,400
Early on, fires provided
heat and light
572
00:30:15,441 --> 00:30:17,568
to our old friend, Cor.
573
00:30:17,610 --> 00:30:19,779
After all, who doesn't
love a nice hot meal
574
00:30:19,821 --> 00:30:23,116
of toasted acorns and seared
woolly mammoth meat?
575
00:30:23,157 --> 00:30:24,242
- [huffs]
- Oh, hi.
576
00:30:24,283 --> 00:30:26,285
Is this, uh, paleo?
577
00:30:28,538 --> 00:30:30,873
I got to figure those
early humans realized
578
00:30:30,915 --> 00:30:34,127
they were controlling
some sort of pure energy.
579
00:30:34,168 --> 00:30:37,338
Just watching the ashes
rise into the sky
580
00:30:37,380 --> 00:30:39,799
must have made
our ancestors wonder
581
00:30:39,841 --> 00:30:42,468
if there wasn't a way
to harness that energy.
582
00:30:42,510 --> 00:30:45,221
But as our species evolved,
we began finding
583
00:30:45,263 --> 00:30:47,348
all sorts of ways
to harness heat
584
00:30:47,390 --> 00:30:50,143
and all kinds of new ways
to make fire.
585
00:30:50,184 --> 00:30:53,229
[rhythmic whirring]
586
00:30:53,271 --> 00:30:57,442
Use a fire to get water hot,
and you get steam.
587
00:30:58,609 --> 00:31:00,611
We call something
that uses heat
588
00:31:00,653 --> 00:31:04,198
to make things go or spin
a heat engine.
589
00:31:08,286 --> 00:31:11,914
The Industrial Revolution
ran on heat engines
590
00:31:11,956 --> 00:31:13,499
that were powered
by hot-burning,
591
00:31:13,541 --> 00:31:16,169
piston-stroking,
wheel-spinning fires
592
00:31:16,210 --> 00:31:18,004
of wood and coal.
593
00:31:18,046 --> 00:31:23,718
* *
594
00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:26,971
The key to any heat engine,
big or small,
595
00:31:27,013 --> 00:31:29,223
is a temperature difference.
596
00:31:29,265 --> 00:31:32,435
Hotter in one place,
cooler in another.
597
00:31:32,477 --> 00:31:34,812
This is true
of an old time steam engine
598
00:31:34,854 --> 00:31:37,148
or an internal
combustion engine.
599
00:31:39,525 --> 00:31:43,029
It's also true
of a huge atmospheric storm
600
00:31:43,071 --> 00:31:47,241
powered by warm water below
and cold air above.
601
00:31:48,367 --> 00:31:50,161
We wanted more and more heat
602
00:31:50,203 --> 00:31:52,997
to keep our civilization going
and growing.
603
00:31:53,039 --> 00:31:56,292
So we started burning
fossil fuels like coal.
604
00:31:56,334 --> 00:31:58,586
It turns out fossil fuels
are the remains
605
00:31:58,628 --> 00:32:01,547
of ancient plants
transformed by millions
606
00:32:01,589 --> 00:32:03,758
of years of pressure and heat.
607
00:32:03,800 --> 00:32:06,302
In some mines, you can
actually see the tree trunks
608
00:32:06,344 --> 00:32:08,471
that have turned to coal.
609
00:32:08,513 --> 00:32:10,640
Natural gas and oil
generally come
610
00:32:10,681 --> 00:32:13,059
from microscopic ocean plants.
611
00:32:13,101 --> 00:32:14,852
No matter where it came from,
612
00:32:14,894 --> 00:32:18,606
if we can find an ancient
fossil fuel, we'll burn it.
613
00:32:18,648 --> 00:32:22,360
Like our distant ancestors,
we're burning old dead plants.
614
00:32:22,402 --> 00:32:25,113
We love burning stuff.
615
00:32:25,154 --> 00:32:27,782
[car horn honks]
Humans are pyromaniacs,
616
00:32:27,824 --> 00:32:30,368
burning more fires
than ever before.
617
00:32:30,410 --> 00:32:33,663
This swanky SUV burns
ancient petroleum,
618
00:32:33,704 --> 00:32:38,251
which we purified and refined
to keep his engine running.
619
00:32:38,292 --> 00:32:41,921
It's hot on the inside
and cool out here.
620
00:32:41,963 --> 00:32:43,464
Another heat engine.
621
00:32:43,506 --> 00:32:45,633
For thousands of years,
we didn't consider
622
00:32:45,675 --> 00:32:48,344
that these fires might
have any consequence.
623
00:32:48,386 --> 00:32:50,430
The carbon captured
by ancient plants
624
00:32:50,471 --> 00:32:53,599
becomes carbon dioxide,
the gas that's given off
625
00:32:53,641 --> 00:32:55,768
when we burn fossil fuels.
626
00:32:55,810 --> 00:32:58,688
CO2, as it's known,
is really good
627
00:32:58,730 --> 00:33:00,481
at trapping heat.
628
00:33:00,523 --> 00:33:03,526
Our penchant for burning
ancient dead things
629
00:33:03,568 --> 00:33:06,154
is creating a monster.
630
00:33:06,195 --> 00:33:08,156
Get away from me!
631
00:33:08,197 --> 00:33:09,407
Ah!
632
00:33:09,449 --> 00:33:12,368
[tense music]
633
00:33:12,410 --> 00:33:13,786
* *
634
00:33:13,828 --> 00:33:16,330
We created this monster.
635
00:33:16,372 --> 00:33:17,623
And here's the thing.
636
00:33:17,665 --> 00:33:19,917
It doesn't have
to happen like this.
637
00:33:19,959 --> 00:33:22,962
We can get past our
million-year-old obsession
638
00:33:23,004 --> 00:33:24,839
with burning dead plants.
639
00:33:24,881 --> 00:33:28,217
We have a way
to slay this beast.
640
00:33:28,259 --> 00:33:29,886
We call it science.
641
00:33:29,927 --> 00:33:32,930
[playful music]
642
00:33:36,559 --> 00:33:39,687
[inquisitive music]
643
00:33:39,729 --> 00:33:42,106
* *
644
00:33:42,148 --> 00:33:45,902
- As you may know, I'm not
a professional hockey player.
645
00:33:45,943 --> 00:33:48,029
But the point I want
to make can't be made
646
00:33:48,071 --> 00:33:50,656
with a round ball
or a Frisbee.
647
00:33:50,698 --> 00:33:53,659
The hockey stick is the shape
of the most iconic graph
648
00:33:53,701 --> 00:33:56,913
of the 20th century
because it shows how fast
649
00:33:56,954 --> 00:33:58,498
the world is getting warmer.
650
00:33:58,539 --> 00:34:01,334
And we're the ones causing it.
651
00:34:01,375 --> 00:34:04,796
Our ancestor, Cor, was here.
652
00:34:04,837 --> 00:34:07,006
The average global
temperature of Earth
653
00:34:07,048 --> 00:34:12,053
remained relatively steady
over the last 10,000 years.
654
00:34:12,095 --> 00:34:14,347
Until around the year 1900.
655
00:34:14,389 --> 00:34:17,892
Then it shot up as fossil
fuel burning increased.
656
00:34:17,934 --> 00:34:21,145
You and I are here.
657
00:34:21,187 --> 00:34:24,107
Well, what scientific
evidence did climatologist,
658
00:34:24,148 --> 00:34:27,026
Michael Mann, examine
to come up with this graph?
659
00:34:27,068 --> 00:34:31,697
Rings in trees, mud and rock
from the bottoms of lakes,
660
00:34:31,739 --> 00:34:34,700
the ice at the poles,
bleaching of coral reefs,
661
00:34:34,742 --> 00:34:37,036
melting glaciers,
rising sea levels,
662
00:34:37,078 --> 00:34:40,915
and more frequent
and more violent hurricanes.
663
00:34:40,957 --> 00:34:44,001
Evidence of our obsession
with burning fossil fuels
664
00:34:44,043 --> 00:34:45,586
is all around us.
665
00:34:45,628 --> 00:34:51,092
So how do we bend this curve?
666
00:34:51,134 --> 00:34:53,720
[suspenseful music]
667
00:34:53,761 --> 00:34:55,388
We don't want
to go back to the days
668
00:34:55,430 --> 00:34:56,848
when we hung out in caves,
669
00:34:56,889 --> 00:34:59,517
and we can't just
shut down civilization.
670
00:35:00,893 --> 00:35:04,272
Let's find new ways
to make fire.
671
00:35:04,313 --> 00:35:07,233
[inquisitive music]
672
00:35:07,275 --> 00:35:09,026
* *
673
00:35:10,570 --> 00:35:12,363
I've never understood
the notion
674
00:35:12,405 --> 00:35:14,824
that renewable energy
is some kind
675
00:35:14,866 --> 00:35:17,744
of hippie-dippie
or fringe idea,
676
00:35:17,785 --> 00:35:21,956
like vampire facials
or crystal sound baths.
677
00:35:21,998 --> 00:35:25,626
Now, take solar energy, which
even today gets a lot of flak.
678
00:35:25,668 --> 00:35:29,380
When you think about it,
the Sun is the main source
679
00:35:29,422 --> 00:35:31,424
of power for all life
on the planet
680
00:35:31,466 --> 00:35:33,342
and fuels
the entire food chain.
681
00:35:33,384 --> 00:35:36,095
Plants use photosynthesis,
682
00:35:36,137 --> 00:35:39,015
the process of turning
sunlight into energy,
683
00:35:39,057 --> 00:35:41,184
to feed themselves,
and in turn,
684
00:35:41,225 --> 00:35:44,937
feed us and every other
species on Earth.
685
00:35:44,979 --> 00:35:48,733
If only we humans could do
what you can do.
686
00:35:48,775 --> 00:35:51,986
Well, we've got
the next best thing.
687
00:35:52,028 --> 00:35:55,156
The sun shines
everywhere on Earth.
688
00:35:55,198 --> 00:35:57,450
We've figured out
how to capture its energy
689
00:35:57,492 --> 00:35:59,452
and turn it into electricity.
690
00:35:59,494 --> 00:36:02,163
Solar panels are like leaves.
691
00:36:02,205 --> 00:36:05,625
Both absorb sunlight
and turn it into energy.
692
00:36:05,666 --> 00:36:07,835
Yes, we don't yet have
the means to store
693
00:36:07,877 --> 00:36:10,338
and distribute it
on very large scales,
694
00:36:10,380 --> 00:36:12,924
but we're working on it.
695
00:36:12,965 --> 00:36:16,052
The sun is our nuclear
furnace in the sky,
696
00:36:16,094 --> 00:36:19,555
and it won't shut down
for billions of years.
697
00:36:19,597 --> 00:36:22,308
Too often we're told
that we have to choose
698
00:36:22,350 --> 00:36:26,062
between progress and being
good stewards of the planet,
699
00:36:26,104 --> 00:36:27,980
but that's just not true.
700
00:36:28,022 --> 00:36:29,899
The cities
of this new millennium
701
00:36:29,941 --> 00:36:32,568
can be powered
by nature itself.
702
00:36:33,945 --> 00:36:37,490
I'll tell you what's
a kooky, fringe idea.
703
00:36:37,532 --> 00:36:40,701
Burning the dried corpses
of really old dead things
704
00:36:40,743 --> 00:36:42,370
to fuel your civilization,
705
00:36:42,412 --> 00:36:45,915
all the while knowing that by
burning those ancient corpses,
706
00:36:45,957 --> 00:36:49,252
you are killing yourself
and everyone else.
707
00:36:49,293 --> 00:36:50,461
I mean, think about it, people.
708
00:36:50,503 --> 00:36:52,630
We're like some kind
of weird death cult.
709
00:36:55,299 --> 00:36:59,345
There are so many potential
sources of energy in nature,
710
00:36:59,387 --> 00:37:01,472
even the breeze itself.
711
00:37:01,514 --> 00:37:04,016
Ocean-based
wind turbines could slow
712
00:37:04,058 --> 00:37:06,602
the winds of hurricanes.
713
00:37:06,644 --> 00:37:09,188
Environmental engineers
have run simulations
714
00:37:09,230 --> 00:37:12,358
to show how wind turbines
could extract kinetic energy
715
00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:15,778
from the air and reduce
coastal storm surges,
716
00:37:15,820 --> 00:37:18,614
like the one Hurricane Katrina
caused in New Orleans,
717
00:37:18,656 --> 00:37:21,367
by almost 80%.
718
00:37:21,409 --> 00:37:23,161
[thunder rumbles]
719
00:37:23,202 --> 00:37:26,497
A battalion of turbines--
say a thousand or more--
720
00:37:26,539 --> 00:37:30,626
could act like a wall to stop
hurricanes in their tracks.
721
00:37:30,668 --> 00:37:33,588
[dramatic music]
722
00:37:33,629 --> 00:37:36,340
* *
723
00:37:36,382 --> 00:37:39,927
A Category 5 could be tamed
into a tropical storm
724
00:37:39,969 --> 00:37:41,929
before it ever reaches shore.
725
00:37:41,971 --> 00:37:45,224
And all of that energy would
be powering our cities
726
00:37:45,266 --> 00:37:46,851
instead of destroying them.
727
00:37:48,061 --> 00:37:51,314
And while we're at it,
let's start removing CO2
728
00:37:51,355 --> 00:37:52,565
from the atmosphere.
729
00:37:52,607 --> 00:37:55,151
We call it direct
air carbon capture.
730
00:37:55,193 --> 00:37:57,445
And it's pretty damn cool.
731
00:37:57,487 --> 00:37:59,739
Think of it like
artificial trees.
732
00:37:59,781 --> 00:38:02,366
Trees, after all,
are the original
733
00:38:02,408 --> 00:38:04,368
carbon capturing machines.
734
00:38:04,410 --> 00:38:08,081
Direct capture technology
sucks air in with a fan
735
00:38:08,122 --> 00:38:12,001
and passes it through a filter
that absorbs carbon dioxide.
736
00:38:12,043 --> 00:38:15,004
That CO2 gets stored
underground,
737
00:38:15,046 --> 00:38:17,340
where we can lock it away
for good.
738
00:38:17,382 --> 00:38:20,301
We can also take carbon
from the atmosphere,
739
00:38:20,343 --> 00:38:21,761
where it's a pollutant,
740
00:38:21,803 --> 00:38:24,180
and repurpose it
to enrich the soil,
741
00:38:24,222 --> 00:38:25,765
where it's a nutrient.
742
00:38:25,807 --> 00:38:29,936
CO2 gas can even make
our drinks fizzy fun.
743
00:38:30,686 --> 00:38:33,564
How about a refreshing,
carbon dioxide-infused
744
00:38:33,606 --> 00:38:36,109
sparkling beverage?
745
00:38:36,150 --> 00:38:38,319
Mmm.
746
00:38:38,361 --> 00:38:40,446
Saving the world.
747
00:38:40,488 --> 00:38:44,075
Direct air carbon capture has
the potential to help us
748
00:38:44,117 --> 00:38:48,121
transition to a carbon-neutral
energy system.
749
00:38:48,162 --> 00:38:52,291
You might be thinking, Bill,
what is carbon-neutral anyway?
750
00:38:52,333 --> 00:38:55,294
It's when the amount of CO2
released into the atmosphere
751
00:38:55,336 --> 00:38:58,172
is equal to the amount
being removed.
752
00:38:59,924 --> 00:39:02,301
Carbon removal
technologies can help
753
00:39:02,343 --> 00:39:03,803
get us there more quickly.
754
00:39:03,845 --> 00:39:06,931
There are 19 carbon capture
plants in Europe,
755
00:39:06,973 --> 00:39:09,392
the United States, and Canada.
756
00:39:09,434 --> 00:39:11,811
More are being planned,
757
00:39:11,853 --> 00:39:14,522
and scientists
at Arizona State University
758
00:39:14,564 --> 00:39:18,693
are taking carbon capture
to a whole new level.
759
00:39:18,735 --> 00:39:21,612
They're developing
mechanical trees
760
00:39:21,654 --> 00:39:23,614
that remove CO2 from the air
761
00:39:23,656 --> 00:39:27,160
a thousand times more
efficiently than real trees.
762
00:39:27,201 --> 00:39:30,329
These Redwood-sized towers
capture carbon
763
00:39:30,371 --> 00:39:32,999
as the wind blows
through their filters.
764
00:39:33,040 --> 00:39:37,420
Imagine entire carbon forests
standing tall,
765
00:39:37,462 --> 00:39:39,505
cleaning up our atmosphere.
766
00:39:39,547 --> 00:39:42,383
[uplifting music]
767
00:39:43,217 --> 00:39:46,179
Let's electrify
our transportation.
768
00:39:46,220 --> 00:39:48,097
We've just started
to make the transition
769
00:39:48,139 --> 00:39:50,516
from gas-powered engines,
to hybrid,
770
00:39:50,558 --> 00:39:52,310
to fully electric vehicles.
771
00:39:52,351 --> 00:39:54,395
The big jet companies
are already working
772
00:39:54,437 --> 00:39:56,647
on electric planes.
773
00:39:56,689 --> 00:39:59,025
Hear that?
774
00:39:59,067 --> 00:40:00,318
No, you don't,
775
00:40:00,359 --> 00:40:02,904
because I'm flying on an
electric plane right now,
776
00:40:02,945 --> 00:40:05,406
giving off zero emissions.
777
00:40:05,448 --> 00:40:08,409
[playful music]
778
00:40:08,451 --> 00:40:10,036
* *
779
00:40:10,078 --> 00:40:14,332
By bending the curve,
we turn down the heat.
780
00:40:14,373 --> 00:40:17,210
We reduce the chances
of a five-headed hydra storm
781
00:40:17,251 --> 00:40:20,380
from ever happening,
and we can be better prepared
782
00:40:20,421 --> 00:40:22,298
for the storms that do happen.
783
00:40:22,340 --> 00:40:25,259
[inquisitive music]
784
00:40:25,301 --> 00:40:28,012
* *
785
00:40:28,054 --> 00:40:31,057
Vulnerable communities can
be raised above sea level
786
00:40:31,099 --> 00:40:33,976
and fortified
with emergency flood pumps.
787
00:40:34,018 --> 00:40:39,023
Coastal cities can invest
in better seawalls.
788
00:40:39,065 --> 00:40:41,317
The most important change
we can make
789
00:40:41,359 --> 00:40:43,694
is to demand
that public safety measures
790
00:40:43,736 --> 00:40:46,697
be guided by science,
not by denial
791
00:40:46,739 --> 00:40:48,741
or short-term
economic thinking.
792
00:40:48,783 --> 00:40:51,744
We can prevent an act of cow.
793
00:40:51,786 --> 00:40:53,955
- You're a cow, Nye!
794
00:40:56,290 --> 00:40:59,877
- If we had clear,
proactive hurricane warnings,
795
00:40:59,919 --> 00:41:01,879
people would be
better prepared,
796
00:41:01,921 --> 00:41:03,631
and they'd make
better decisions
797
00:41:03,673 --> 00:41:06,467
the next time
disaster strikes.
798
00:41:06,509 --> 00:41:09,512
[thunder rumbling]
799
00:41:09,554 --> 00:41:12,473
[suspenseful music]
800
00:41:12,515 --> 00:41:19,647
* *
801
00:41:29,991 --> 00:41:31,826
[uplifting music]
802
00:41:31,868 --> 00:41:34,620
[car horns honk]
803
00:41:34,662 --> 00:41:41,836
* *
804
00:41:49,510 --> 00:41:53,431
Better decisions,
better days ahead.
805
00:41:55,683 --> 00:41:58,811
And the best part is,
we can let nature take the lead
806
00:41:58,853 --> 00:42:00,730
if we just get out of the way.
807
00:42:00,772 --> 00:42:02,899
Wetlands have the capacity
808
00:42:02,940 --> 00:42:04,817
to absorb
huge amounts of water
809
00:42:04,859 --> 00:42:06,778
for days on end.
810
00:42:06,819 --> 00:42:08,237
And this is one
of the big reasons
811
00:42:08,279 --> 00:42:11,324
Hurricane Katrina became
such a disaster.
812
00:42:11,365 --> 00:42:14,077
When those wetlands
got paved over,
813
00:42:14,118 --> 00:42:16,579
and rain fell
on those hardscapes,
814
00:42:16,621 --> 00:42:18,873
it turned freeways
into rivers,
815
00:42:18,915 --> 00:42:21,375
and neighborhoods
into great lakes.
816
00:42:21,417 --> 00:42:25,338
By protecting wetlands,
we're protecting ourselves.
817
00:42:25,380 --> 00:42:31,010
* *
818
00:42:31,052 --> 00:42:33,513
All of these things
can be accomplished
819
00:42:33,554 --> 00:42:35,014
in just a few decades--
820
00:42:35,056 --> 00:42:37,725
in some cases,
just a few years.
821
00:42:37,767 --> 00:42:40,520
It's within our reach.
822
00:42:40,561 --> 00:42:41,854
Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
823
00:42:44,023 --> 00:42:45,525
- Many of you watching
right now
824
00:42:45,566 --> 00:42:49,570
will be around to see the day
when we end CO2 emissions
825
00:42:49,612 --> 00:42:51,864
and become carbon-neutral.
826
00:42:51,906 --> 00:42:55,034
Or maybe someday,
carbon-negative.
827
00:42:57,578 --> 00:42:59,205
What can I say?
828
00:42:59,247 --> 00:43:00,706
I'm an optimist.
829
00:43:00,748 --> 00:43:02,417
How about you?
830
00:43:12,427 --> 00:43:14,053
- So what have we learned?
831
00:43:14,095 --> 00:43:17,640
Too much carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere fuels storms.
832
00:43:17,682 --> 00:43:20,351
Storms kill people
and cost money.
833
00:43:20,393 --> 00:43:22,478
If we take action now,
we can prevent
834
00:43:22,520 --> 00:43:24,939
more storms and devastation.
835
00:43:24,981 --> 00:43:26,899
We can do this, people!
836
00:43:26,941 --> 00:43:28,609
All hands on deck!
837
00:43:28,651 --> 00:43:30,820
If you're young,
demand that adults
838
00:43:30,862 --> 00:43:32,321
take your future seriously,
839
00:43:32,363 --> 00:43:34,949
because it's not theirs
to sell to the highest bidder.
840
00:43:34,991 --> 00:43:36,659
If you're old enough to vote,
841
00:43:36,701 --> 00:43:38,161
make sure the people
you're electing
842
00:43:38,202 --> 00:43:39,954
have an eye on the environment.
843
00:43:39,996 --> 00:43:42,039
If you're earning
a decent living,
844
00:43:42,081 --> 00:43:43,708
put your money
where your mouth is.
845
00:43:43,750 --> 00:43:45,418
Invest in clean energy.
846
00:43:45,460 --> 00:43:47,920
And if you're a billionaire--
847
00:43:47,962 --> 00:43:49,839
hey, man, do the math!
848
00:43:49,881 --> 00:43:53,009
You can't do business
on a drowned planet.
849
00:43:53,051 --> 00:43:55,053
And there's another thing
we've learned,
850
00:43:55,094 --> 00:43:57,680
and it might be the most
important thing yet.
851
00:43:57,722 --> 00:44:01,768
For most of human history,
Earth controlled our fate.
852
00:44:01,809 --> 00:44:03,686
We were at the mercy
of natural forces
853
00:44:03,728 --> 00:44:05,438
beyond our control.
854
00:44:05,480 --> 00:44:08,066
Today, to a greater
and greater extent,
855
00:44:08,107 --> 00:44:10,443
we control the fate of Earth.
856
00:44:10,485 --> 00:44:13,071
We're changing the chemistry
of the atmosphere
857
00:44:13,112 --> 00:44:14,947
and the temperature
of the oceans.
858
00:44:14,989 --> 00:44:16,866
There are other issues,
of course.
859
00:44:16,908 --> 00:44:20,286
But those are stories
for another day.
860
00:44:20,328 --> 00:44:22,622
We didn't ask
to be in charge here,
861
00:44:22,663 --> 00:44:25,208
but now Earth
is in human hands.
862
00:44:25,249 --> 00:44:27,960
We're stewards
of an entire planet.
863
00:44:28,002 --> 00:44:31,381
We all live here.
We all share the same air.
864
00:44:31,422 --> 00:44:34,384
We all share
the same days ahead.
865
00:44:34,425 --> 00:44:37,887
And I see a future
with clear skies.
866
00:44:37,929 --> 00:44:40,890
[uplifting music]
867
00:44:40,932 --> 00:44:44,018
* *