How the Earth Changed History
In each episode, geologist Iain Stewart describes how a certain geological force played a determinant part in human history. Culture may render people less dependent on nature, it still interacts with it, and actually increases the importance of such natural resources as minerals and fossil fuels.
- 2010-2010
- 1 season
- Documentary
In each episode, geologist Iain Stewart describes how a certain geological force played a determinant part in human history. Culture may render people less dependent on nature, it still interacts with it, and actually increases the importance of such natural resources as minerals and fossil fuels.
Season 1 Episode Guide
5 Episodes 2010
Episode 1
Deep Earth
Crucial mineral resources for human technological development are geologically produced from deep earth trough volcanic and/or seismic activity, especially where tectonic plates meet and clash. Thus most of the cultures producing advanced technology did so using those rich mining areas.
Episode 2
Water
62 mins
Water, at least the small potable fraction of the huge planetary supply, is vital for wildlife. It's availability largely determines human population too, even more since the invention of agriculture, which also gave rise to ingenious methods to gather and use it such as irrigation and deep wells. Furthermore water is important for navigation, climatic phenomena and disasters.
Episode 3
Wind
Winds play a major role for life, mainly as a key factor in weather and climate, but also by transporting seeds, dust etcetera. Especially in the sailing age, winds were primordial for nautical transport and navigation, enabling exploration, migration, colonization, trade routes etcetera. Wind can either supply fertile loss, as in central China, or take the destructive form of storms.
Episode 4
Fire
62 mins
In this epsiode man's relationship with fire is explored. We begin by embarking on an extraordinary encounter with this terrifying force of nature - a walk right through the heart of a raging fire. Fire has long been our main source of energy and we show how this meant that the planet played a crucial role in Britain's industrial revolution, whilst holding China's development back.
Episode 5
Human Planet
61 mins
In this final episode we explore a completely new force; humans. It's easy to think of our impact on the planet as a negative one, but as we discover, this isn't always the case. But it is clear that today we have unprecedented control over many of the planet's geological cycles. The question is how will we use this power?
