HOME by Yann Arthus Bertrand - Full Movie (English version) - Documentary

CINÉMOI・2 minutes read

Life on Earth has evolved over billions of years, from the appearance of cyanobacteria to the rise of human civilization. However, rapid industrialization, overpopulation, and resource exploitation are now threatening the environment and biodiversity, requiring urgent action to combat climate change within the next decade.

Insights

  • Cyanobacteria played a crucial role in transforming Earth's atmosphere by capturing the Sun's energy, while microorganisms in sea shells helped drain carbon from the atmosphere, enabling the development of other life forms.
  • The rapid increase in global trade volume since 1950, the depletion of fishing grounds, reliance on fossil water in desert lands, and the impact of climate change on various regions all underscore the urgent need for immediate action within the next decade to address environmental challenges and prevent catastrophic outcomes for life on Earth.

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Recent questions

  • How did life on Earth begin?

    Life on Earth began around four billion years ago, with humans appearing only 200,000 years ago. The Earth's original atmosphere lacked oxygen and was dense with water vapor and carbon dioxide. Water vapor condensed, leading to torrential downpours that formed rivers, channels, and oceans. Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, were crucial in transforming the Earth's atmosphere by capturing the Sun's energy. Microorganisms in the sea shells helped drain carbon from the atmosphere, enabling other life forms to develop.

  • What role did plant life play in altering the atmosphere?

    Plant life played a significant role in altering the atmosphere by breaking apart water molecules and releasing oxygen. Trees, descendants of cyanobacteria, capture sunlight's energy, converting it into leaves, water, minerals, and living matter. Soils are formed gradually through the activity of microorganisms, creating a fertile layer vital for all land life. Agriculture, a significant human invention less than 10,000 years ago, revolutionized history by providing surpluses, leading to the birth of cities and civilizations.

  • How has international trade evolved since 1950?

    Since 1950, international trade volume has increased 20 times, with 90% of trade occurring by sea. Dubai, a hub of consumption, showcases the Western model's culmination, achieving the impossible like building artificial islands. Despite lacking natural resources, Dubai imports materials, workers, and food, desalinates seawater, and constructs the world's tallest skyscrapers. Fishing catches have surged fivefold since 1950, depleting three-quarters of fishing grounds and endangering fish stocks.

  • What are the environmental impacts of overpopulation?

    Overpopulation and resource depletion led to the collapse of Easter Island's civilization, a cautionary tale for modern society. Global disparities in wealth distribution, urbanization, and resource exploitation threaten the environment, biodiversity, and human survival. Rising sea levels are causing concern among those living on coastal plains, with major cities like Tokyo facing potential threats. Forests, crucial for biodiversity and climate balance, are rapidly disappearing due to deforestation for agriculture and paper production.

  • What are the consequences of climate change?

    Droughts are affecting farmland in Australia, highlighting the global impact of climate change. Permafrost melting in Siberia could release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, leading to unpredictable consequences. Urgent action is needed within the next 10 years to reverse the trend of climate change and prevent catastrophic outcomes for life on Earth. Bangladesh is already experiencing the effects of global warming, with a third of its landmass at risk of disappearing due to floods and hurricanes.

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Summary

00:00

"Earth's Evolution: From Cyanobacteria to Civilization"

  • Life on Earth began around four billion years ago, with humans appearing only 200,000 years ago.
  • The Earth's original atmosphere lacked oxygen and was dense with water vapor and carbon dioxide.
  • Water vapor condensed, leading to torrential downpours that formed rivers, channels, and oceans.
  • Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, were crucial in transforming the Earth's atmosphere by capturing the Sun's energy.
  • Microorganisms in the sea shells helped drain carbon from the atmosphere, enabling other life forms to develop.
  • Plant life played a significant role in altering the atmosphere by breaking apart water molecules and releasing oxygen.
  • The Earth's water cycle ensures constant renewal, with water existing in liquid, gaseous, and solid forms.
  • Trees, descendants of cyanobacteria, capture sunlight's energy, converting it into leaves, water, minerals, and living matter.
  • Soils are formed gradually through the activity of microorganisms, creating a fertile layer vital for all land life.
  • Agriculture, a significant human invention less than 10,000 years ago, revolutionized history by providing surpluses, leading to the birth of cities and civilizations.

34:45

Global Trade, Dubai, Resource Depletion, Environmental Threats

  • Since 1950, international trade volume has increased 20 times, with 90% of trade occurring by sea.
  • Dubai, a hub of consumption, showcases the Western model's culmination, achieving the impossible like building artificial islands.
  • Despite lacking natural resources, Dubai imports materials, workers, and food, desalinates seawater, and constructs the world's tallest skyscrapers.
  • Fishing catches have surged fivefold since 1950, depleting three-quarters of fishing grounds and endangering fish stocks.
  • Desert lands, home to 500 million people, rely on fossil water for irrigation, but this non-renewable resource is depleting.
  • Saudi Arabia's industrial farming dream in the desert falters due to severely depleted fossil water reserves.
  • Water consumption rises in Israel's desert agriculture, impacting the River Jordan's flow and the Dead Sea's level.
  • Forests, crucial for biodiversity and climate balance, are rapidly disappearing due to deforestation for agriculture and paper production.
  • Overpopulation and resource depletion led to the collapse of Easter Island's civilization, a cautionary tale for modern society.
  • Global disparities in wealth distribution, urbanization, and resource exploitation threaten the environment, biodiversity, and human survival.

01:09:28

Climate Change Threatens Coastal Cities and Resources

  • Rising sea levels are causing concern among those living on coastal plains, with major cities like Tokyo facing potential threats.
  • Glaciers disappearing in Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro and the Himalayas, impacting water sources for billions of people.
  • Bangladesh is already experiencing the effects of global warming, with a third of its landmass at risk of disappearing due to floods and hurricanes.
  • Droughts are affecting farmland in Australia, highlighting the global impact of climate change.
  • Permafrost melting in Siberia could release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, leading to unpredictable consequences.
  • Urgent action is needed within the next 10 years to reverse the trend of climate change and prevent catastrophic outcomes for life on Earth.
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