0:00:38 > 0:00:40During the last 30 years,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44overfishing has become a real threat to the world's oceans.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48Marine ecosystems are being destroyed
0:00:48 > 0:00:51and certain species are becoming commercially extinct.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Yet, some small coastal communities that depend on fishing
0:00:55 > 0:00:58for their livelihood manage to fish in a sustainable way.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07One such community can be found on the other side of the world,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11in South East Asia in a country called Indonesia.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Indonesia is made up of 17,000 Islands lying between Malaysia,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18the Philippines and Australia.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21One of the inhabited Islands is called Lembata -
0:01:21 > 0:01:24a volcanically active island that, during a storm
0:01:24 > 0:01:27faces the full force of the Indian Ocean.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34On the south coast of Lembata sits a very small
0:01:34 > 0:01:39and isolated village called Lamalera, a community
0:01:39 > 0:01:42which is completely dependant on the ocean for their food.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Here, the fishermen favour traditional methods
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and still use simple hand-made equipment
0:01:47 > 0:01:49such as throw nets and harpoons.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51This is known as artisan fishing
0:01:51 > 0:01:54and seems to have a low impact on fish populations.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Therefore, it's considered sustainable.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00It's the whaling season.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03From May to October, men from the village scan the horizon
0:02:03 > 0:02:07every morning hoping they'll be the one to shout...
0:02:07 > 0:02:08Baleo!
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Baleo! Baleo! Baleo!
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Baleo! Baleo! Baleo! Baleo!
0:02:14 > 0:02:18The whole village springs into action.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21It's a race against time to get out to sea.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22It's dangerous work
0:02:22 > 0:02:25but opportunities don't come much bigger than this.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Everyone knows someone who has been killed or injured
0:02:31 > 0:02:33on a whaling expedition.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Their challenge is to take on one of the world's largest marine mammals.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41This sperm whale.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Measuring up to 20 metres long,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47these powerful animals won't go down without a fight.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54With simple boats and hands-made weapons, they seem ill-prepared.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00The villagers can only harpoon the whale when it surfaces to breathe.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04So they need to move fast.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Incredibly, they launch themselves on to the mighty giant
0:03:10 > 0:03:14and drive their wooden harpoons into the whale's back.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18This is the most dangerous moment of all.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22To jump is to risk being killed by a flick of the whale's tail.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28Harpooned, the whale can escape and the fight is on.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32As the whale struggles to break free, another boat attacks...
0:03:37 > 0:03:39..and harpoons the whale once more.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46Dragging several boats, the whale is exhausted.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58A fisherman jumps into the water
0:03:58 > 0:04:02and a final fatal cut is made through the back bone.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15It's been an epic eight-hour battle, but this time,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17everyone returns safely home.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25The death of a whale may seem sad and unnecessary to us,
0:04:25 > 0:04:27but it's a lifeline for these villagers.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31One catch can feed the people of Lamelera for months.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39This small scale hunting is called subsistence whaling
0:04:39 > 0:04:42and has little impact on the whale numbers in these oceans.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46They only kill around six whales a year.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51The meat is shared carefully amongst the villagers.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Nothing is wasted.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56And the fishermen can trade with farmers from nearby villages
0:04:56 > 0:05:00for other essentials.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Yet, recently, the villagers have noted that fewer
0:05:02 > 0:05:06and fewer whales are passing by their islands
0:05:06 > 0:05:09and are worried about the future of this vital food source.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13As a community that depends heavily on fishing for their livelihood,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16how will they adapt if whale stocks decline further?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58The sea covers 70% of our planet's surface.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01It's home to three-quarters of all life on Earth.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05All the creatures found here are perfectly adapted
0:06:05 > 0:06:07to thrive in the ocean.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09All except one.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Humans are not evolved for a life aquatic,
0:06:14 > 0:06:19but great opportunities await those who dare to venture into the water.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21And an indigenous community living in the coral seas
0:06:21 > 0:06:24of Indonesia are a perfect example.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Travelling over 10,000km from the UK,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32we arrive at the Indonesian Archipelago.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36An archipelago is a group of many island in a large area in the ocean.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42The Sulu Archipelago is a smaller cluster of volcanic
0:06:42 > 0:06:47and coral islands lying between the Philippines, Malaysia and Borneo.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51And among the warm waters are scattered indigenous communities.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57One such community is the Bajau Laut.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00And it's their deep understanding of the ocean that sets them apart
0:07:00 > 0:07:02from any other culture on Earth.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08The Bajau are a nomadic community that relies solely
0:07:08 > 0:07:10on the coral reefs of the Sulu Archipelago.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13A nutrient rich ecosystem.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Yet, years of industrial fishing using dynamite
0:07:22 > 0:07:25and cyanide has taken its toll on the coral reefs.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Many are damaged and several species that live along the coral
0:07:29 > 0:07:32have since become endangered.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36The Bajau understand the fragility of the coral
0:07:36 > 0:07:38and as a result, they are constantly on the move
0:07:38 > 0:07:41searching for a healthier reef
0:07:41 > 0:07:43giving damaged coral time to recover.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Living off shore, the Bajau children have adjusted to an aquatic life.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52The ocean is their playground.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55They spend so much time in the sea that amazingly,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58their eyes have become physically adapted.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03The youngsters can actually focus better than you or I
0:08:03 > 0:08:06while swimming underwater.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11More importantly, the Bajau have developed their traditional
0:08:11 > 0:08:14fishing methods to suit this particular ecosystem.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16This is called artisan fishing.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Silbin, an underwater hunter is living proof
0:08:22 > 0:08:26of just how far the Bajau have adapted.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38He's out fishing for his supper, and like so many of his forefathers
0:08:38 > 0:08:46before him, Silbin takes one final breath and plunges into the depths.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Completely focused and calm,
0:08:51 > 0:08:56he descends 20 metres down to the sea floor.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59His heartbeat slows to around 30 beats per minute.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06He's done this so many times that his body can cope
0:09:06 > 0:09:09with the intense physical pressure of being underwater.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14The pressure at these depths crushes his chest
0:09:14 > 0:09:18and squeezes his lungs to one third of its usual volume,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22so even without weight, he's heavier than water.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24This means that Silbin can stride quite comfortably
0:09:24 > 0:09:26across the sea floor.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30He spots a fish.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Silbin can go even deeper than this
0:09:39 > 0:09:41and stay down for up to five minutes.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45But he's got what he came for. So it's home for supper.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51However, the Bajau are living in difficult times.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Many of the traditional practices are being abandoned
0:09:54 > 0:09:57as the younger members of the community head inland
0:09:57 > 0:09:58in search of work.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Living so close to highly endangered coral reefs, where there is
0:10:02 > 0:10:05a pressing need for improved protection and conservation,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08means the Bajau's way of life is under increasing scrutiny
0:10:08 > 0:10:11by various conservation agencies.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15How can they maintain their way of life against new pressures
0:10:15 > 0:10:19to reduce fishing and conserve the reefs on which they completely rely?
0:10:54 > 0:10:58In South America, floods can be so huge that the entire year
0:10:58 > 0:11:00must be spent preparing for them.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06In the Amazon Basin, a community has adapted to this natural phenomenon
0:11:06 > 0:11:09and know how to survive the annual floods
0:11:09 > 0:11:12when food becomes very scarce.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Brazil is the largest country in South America
0:11:17 > 0:11:21and has a population of over 170 million.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27The northern region is dominated by rainforest
0:11:27 > 0:11:31and the second longest river in the world - the Amazon.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37The Negro is a tributary - a smaller river that flows into the Amazon.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45In the Amazon region, the climate is tropical
0:11:45 > 0:11:50and much of the landscape consists of dense rainforests.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Being on the equator, it's always hot here,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57and the high rate of evaporation results in very heavy rainfall.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00During the wet season from October to March,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04it rains continually raising the height of this mighty river
0:12:04 > 0:12:09by around eight metres and flooding nearby forests and villages.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14The fish disappear into the flooded forests to breed
0:12:14 > 0:12:17and sourcing food becomes difficult for the communities
0:12:17 > 0:12:19who live on the banks of the river.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23But they are well adapted and build their homes
0:12:23 > 0:12:26and schools high up on stilts.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Even the school run is done in wooden boats.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41It's June.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45It's the dry season and there's plenty of fish in the river.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Meet Jarnia and her family.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52They live on the banks of the River Negro.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54But they know that within six months,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58the fish will have disappeared again so they need to prepare early
0:12:58 > 0:13:02and nurture another natural resource - turtles.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12Jarnea and the villagers are out collecting turtle eggs.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24During the dry season, the yellow-spotted river turtles
0:13:24 > 0:13:27lay and bury thousands of eggs in sandy banks.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Turtles become a reliable source of food when the fish disappear.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37However, having relied for many years on this natural resource,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40the number of turtles have fallen dramatically.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42In an attempt to sustain and boost their numbers,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46the villagers have established their own turtle conservation project.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55The eggs are then reburied in a turtle nursery.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00Here, Jarnia and the villagers will ensure that they're safe from harm.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09It's mid-March and 3,000 eggs have hatched. It's release day.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Despite the villagers' efforts,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24only 10% of the turtles will ever reach maturity.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The big question is - will enough of them
0:14:28 > 0:14:31survive to feed the villagers during the floods?
0:14:39 > 0:14:40The floods have come.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47The river has risen by seven metres and Jarnia's village is transformed.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Life has moved up into the tree tops leaving Jarnia
0:14:53 > 0:14:57and her family marooned by the colossal flood.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03With no fish around, Jarnia
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and her sister, Dora, decide to go hunting for hurtles.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12It's only now that they'll discover
0:15:12 > 0:15:14if their turtle breeding has paid off.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Jarnia spots something.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36Jarnia is happy
0:15:36 > 0:15:40and the conservation project seems to be working.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Today she'll be able to feed everyone in her family.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50The turtle seem to be going down a treat.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Jarnia and the villagers have sourced a sustainable supply
0:15:58 > 0:16:01of food that's unique to their environment.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03By trying to conserve and boost the turtle population,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05they have successfully managed
0:16:05 > 0:16:09to feed their families during the greatest seasonal flood on Earth.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00The Mongolian steppe -
0:17:00 > 0:17:03an enormous and open expanse that covers most of Mongolia
0:17:03 > 0:17:08and home to a community of wandering horse herders.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12These people have survived here for a very long time,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16maintaining their culture and ancient traditions.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18This is the life of a nomad.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26Mongolia is a land-locked country in central Asia lying between China
0:17:26 > 0:17:28and Russia.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31It's a country that's on a high plateau
0:17:31 > 0:17:34with an average elevation of 1,500 metres.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36It has an extreme climate
0:17:36 > 0:17:39and geography that greatly affects the way people live.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43The Mongolian steppe covers much of eastern Mongolia
0:17:43 > 0:17:46extending, in a narrow band, all the way to the west.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53These nomadic people are self-sufficient
0:17:53 > 0:17:58and depend on their livestock for food and other necessities.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Their lives revolve around their animals.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04As their ancestors did before them,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08the people of the steppe will travel many miles across the semi-arid
0:18:08 > 0:18:14or partly dry environment in search of good pastures and fresh water.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21The exact time and destination of the movements are determined
0:18:21 > 0:18:23by the animals' needs to find better grazing.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39This way of farming is called pastoralism
0:18:39 > 0:18:42and is practised in environments where finding adequate
0:18:42 > 0:18:48and sustainable supplies of food and water is a constant challenge.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Today, approximately half of Mongolia's population still roam
0:18:52 > 0:18:53these vast plains,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57living in portable, traditional tents called yurts.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Mongolia is the land of the horse.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07There are more wild horses here than anywhere else in the world
0:19:07 > 0:19:11and the nomads depend heavily on them.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17Today, the herders are trying to capture wild female horses or mares.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25Firstly, they must catch a foal using a lasso.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27This will force the mare to stay close.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33But it's not that easy. The foal is pretty strong.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Once the foal is caught, they must place a strap,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41a halter on it before it tries to escape.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43It's the first time they've felt the touch of a human hand.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53They can now move to the mares. This is the real battle.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Lively mares are strong creatures with attitude
0:19:56 > 0:19:58and things don't go according to plan.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20After two exhausting hours, the men begin to get the upper hand.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Haltered and with its legs tied,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28this mare has finally been subdued and left to calm down with her foal.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Only with her foal suckling will the mare surrender her milk
0:20:35 > 0:20:37and surprisingly for us,
0:20:37 > 0:20:41perhaps, this is the sole purpose of today's effort.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45The nomadic herders drink the horse's milk.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It's an excellent source of protein.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53And what they do next makes the sugary milk even tastier.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56They ferment it into airag - a slightly alcoholic yoghurt.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05The yoghurt bacteria turns the milk into a nutritious summer food.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Pastoral farming succeeds here because generally,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25it's a way of life that's efficient and well-suited
0:21:25 > 0:21:27to semi-arid regions.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32To the outside world, such a lifestyle may seem challenging,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35but over the centuries, these people have developed a strength
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and resilience which is essential for surviving
0:21:38 > 0:21:40on the Mongolian steppe.
0:22:17 > 0:22:2021st century farming methods allow agriculture to take place
0:22:20 > 0:22:25in the unlikeliest environment and on a massive scale.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Welcome to the Australian outback.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Australia is over 15,000km from the United Kingdom.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37It's in the southern hemisphere where the hottest temperatures
0:22:37 > 0:22:41are in December and the coolest in June.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45It's a country with six major states and territories,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47one of which is the Northern Territory,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49a sparsely populated state.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54Its capital is Darwin and 200km south is Maryfield Cattle Station.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03The Northern Territory of Australia -
0:23:03 > 0:23:07a vast land where few people live beyond the towns.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12Like many regions of tropical grassland,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16temperatures are high all year around and the soil is poor.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Growing anything here is difficult.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25Here in Australia, supersized ranches across the country
0:23:25 > 0:23:27can hold up to 30 million cattle.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32The farmers manage these grasslands by pastoral farming -
0:23:32 > 0:23:36a sustainable farming method where cattle are allowed to move
0:23:36 > 0:23:40freely from place to place to graze on fresh grass.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41This avoids overgrazing.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48It's the wet season, which lasts from November to April.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50There's good grazing now
0:23:50 > 0:23:54and the cattle have spread out across hundreds of acres of land.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57So knowing the whereabouts of your livestock
0:23:57 > 0:24:00can prove to be a bit tricky.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04But the Australians have a hi-tech solution - the flying cowboy.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It's the mustering season where farmers start rounding up
0:24:09 > 0:24:12their cattle ready to be sold.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17This is Ben Tapp. He owns an enormous cattle station.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Today, he must bring in 2,000 of his best cattle,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22but first he has to find them.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25His cattle are out there... somewhere.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32Scouting for livestock as a muster pilot saves a lot time and effort.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38There's a fair few. There's about six or seven of them along the way.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42In the past, it used to take at least ten men on horse back
0:24:42 > 0:24:45up to a month to gather this number of cattle.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46But not any more.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50A farmer in a helicopter takes just one day.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55He'll need all his flying skills, his ability to read the cattle
0:24:55 > 0:24:58and his mate, Rankin, if he's to succeed.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04He must herd the cattle through deep water pools
0:25:04 > 0:25:06to get them closer to his yard.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13The helicopter keeps on their tails until they rush through the water.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Clipping any tree could be fatal.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Look out, look out!
0:25:18 > 0:25:20It's a dangerous job.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Every year about ten muster pilots are killed.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27As the pilot gathers the groups together,
0:25:27 > 0:25:32they build in numbers and hundreds become thousands.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35With herd mentality, the cattle follow the first runner.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Joined by a ground team of men on horseback and quad bikes,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42they steadily drive the cattle forward.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Finally, the helicopters push all 2,000 cattle
0:25:48 > 0:25:51into Ben's very large holding pen.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56Today, this hi-tech approach musters half of the cattle in Australia.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01That's 15 million livestock rounded up by helicopter each year.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06This is an example of a modern farming method, which allows
0:26:06 > 0:26:10farmers to manage the Australian grasslands effectively
0:26:10 > 0:26:13while being able to stock a large number of cattle to keep up
0:26:13 > 0:26:16with the huge global demand for beef.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Rivers that flow through cities can always pose a dangerous threat.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12But more economically developed countries otherwise known as MEDCs
0:27:12 > 0:27:17can afford ingenious ways to deal with extraordinary river conditions.
0:27:17 > 0:27:255,600km from the UK, across the Atlantic Ocean, is Canada -
0:27:25 > 0:27:28a country that has a land area of nearly 10 million square kilometres
0:27:28 > 0:27:33making it the second largest country in the world.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Close to the border between Ontario
0:27:35 > 0:27:39and Quebec states lies Canada's capital city - Ottawa.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52The city is in the grip of winter.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54At this time of year, temperatures can plummet
0:27:54 > 0:28:00to minus 30 degrees centigrade - colder than your freezer at home.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02It's a deep freeze.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08This Rideau River is one of Ottawa's main waterways.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11It winds its way through the city before reaching central Ottawa
0:28:11 > 0:28:13at Rideau Falls.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16At this time of year, the river is frozen solid.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23Spanning across the Rideau River is a low footbridge,
0:28:23 > 0:28:27which has caused a solid wall of ice to build over the waterfall.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Bridges can often cause a problem as they interfere
0:28:31 > 0:28:33with the river's natural flow.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37It's the spring thaw.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Further up river, ice has started to melt
0:28:39 > 0:28:41and is travelling down the river.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44But because of the wall of ice caused by the footbridge,
0:28:44 > 0:28:46the water can't get through.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50The ice has created a natural dam
0:28:50 > 0:28:53causing the river's water level to rise,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56threatening to flood nearby homes and business premises.
0:28:56 > 0:29:01Flood damage could run into millions of dollars.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06The Rideau River is now public enemy number one.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11A city-sized threat needs a spectacular solution.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Here come the ice dam busters.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24Here in Ottawa, a sure sign that spring is coming
0:29:24 > 0:29:28is the annual effort by the city workers to clear the ice.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33Thousands of tonnes of ice, up to a metre thick,
0:29:33 > 0:29:38sit behind the bridge forming a solid and impassable barrier.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40The team need to break it up to keep the river flowing
0:29:40 > 0:29:43and prevent flooding.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Using special ice saws and shovels,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48they begin to cut the ice into long strips.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51These pieces are still too large to flow under the bridge,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54so the team have the ultimate weapon -
0:29:57 > 0:29:58Dynamite.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Hundreds of kilos of explosives are placed
0:30:05 > 0:30:07in specially drilled ice holes.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Then the ice is blasted high into the air.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27Slowly, the ice and water at the top of the falls begin to shift
0:30:27 > 0:30:31and the first of the ice strips crash over the frozen falls.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37Flooding has been averted and winter's grip has finally eased.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40The centre of Ottawa is safe for another year at least.
0:30:44 > 0:30:49Preventing disaster is an expensive and noisy and disruptive business.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Although necessary in order to keep the capital city of Canada
0:30:52 > 0:30:55safe from this unique force of nature.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Humans living in MEDCs,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35short for More Economically Developed Countries,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38are in the grip of consumerism,
0:31:38 > 0:31:42as we increasingly purchase much more than we ever need
0:31:43 > 0:31:47As a result, we throw away a lot of rubbish.
0:31:48 > 0:31:49In the UK alone,
0:31:49 > 0:31:53refuse trucks deal with 85,000 tonnes of waste everyday.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57And most of it is food.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Rubbish doesn't simply vanish when it is thrown away.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06We often transport this waste to the edges our cities.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12In this film, we travelled to the Southern Hemisphere
0:32:12 > 0:32:14to the continent of Africa.
0:32:15 > 0:32:16With over a billion people,
0:32:16 > 0:32:21Africa accounts for about 14% of the world's human population.
0:32:21 > 0:32:26It has 61 countries - one of which is Kenya.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Currently, Kenya has a lucrative tourist industry,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32but still deals with high levels of unemployment,
0:32:32 > 0:32:37crime and poverty, and the city of Mombasa is no different.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42Like the Western world, waste also occurs in many of the world's LEDCs,
0:32:42 > 0:32:47which is short for Less Economically Developed Countries.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51On the outskirts of Mombasa, there is a massive rubbish dump,
0:32:51 > 0:32:53known as Kibarani.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It's in this man-made environment
0:32:59 > 0:33:01that all the rubbish from Mombasa ends up
0:33:01 > 0:33:03and among the mountains of waste,
0:33:03 > 0:33:07thousands of people survive trying to make a living.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Tonnes of fuming refuse from more than four million city dwellers
0:33:13 > 0:33:18is discarded daily, creating a toxic and hazardous environment
0:33:18 > 0:33:23exposing the Kibarani residents to persistent illness and danger.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Most Kibarani people end up living here
0:33:26 > 0:33:29after migrating from surrounding rural areas and not being able
0:33:29 > 0:33:32to find a job in the city.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37Penniless, Kibarani becomes their only option.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39There's no clean water,
0:33:39 > 0:33:44sanitation, schools or houses. Life here is pretty grim.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Every day, trucks dump Mombasa's rubbish here
0:33:50 > 0:33:52and the people pick through the waste looking for plastic
0:33:52 > 0:33:57or metal, which they can either use for themselves
0:33:57 > 0:34:00or sell on for money to buy food and fresh water.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Some are so hungry that whenever something edible is found,
0:34:04 > 0:34:05it's eaten.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11It's very hot and humid along on the coast of Kenya.
0:34:11 > 0:34:12As a result,
0:34:12 > 0:34:17the rubbish rots quickly leaving an indescribable stench in the air.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21How anyone can live here is difficult to imagine.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Yet, for Asha and her family, the dump is home.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40They are modern day hunter gatherers who have adapted to survive
0:34:40 > 0:34:43this unique man-made environment.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17A refuse truck arrives and the race is on.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23Asha's husband, Ali, has to be quick in order to get the best scraps.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28There's a lot of competition.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32You need to be fast and nimble to get there first.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34It's every man for himself.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52This really is life in the extreme.
0:35:52 > 0:35:53Finding food for your children
0:35:53 > 0:35:56in and around a city's discarded rubbish.
0:35:56 > 0:36:02And yet, bizarrely, the poor can be the rest recyclers in the world.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Nothing is wasted. But surely they should have some alternative?
0:36:06 > 0:36:09A cleaner way of earning a living without having
0:36:09 > 0:36:11to endanger their lives?
0:36:12 > 0:36:16With so many of us rich and poor living in the urban environment,
0:36:16 > 0:36:19if we continue to use up the Earth's resources and generate
0:36:19 > 0:36:23the waste as we do, the future for the human planet is bleak.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Here in the urban jungle, humans are the masters.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07In towns and cities across the world,
0:37:07 > 0:37:11we drive out what we don't want and ship in what we need.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14We don't have to hunt or grow our own food
0:37:14 > 0:37:18and we demand fresh or out of season produce right away.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24We've been clever at using nature, but as modern consumers, buying
0:37:24 > 0:37:28and enjoying such produce - are we really aware of the consequences?
0:37:28 > 0:37:31In order to satisfy the demand,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34some foods are travelling thousands of miles.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37This is known as food miles.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39The larger the distance,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42the greater the damage caused to the environment.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Fossil fuel transport running on petrol, diesel or gas, contributes
0:37:46 > 0:37:51to a product's carbon footprint and is gradually warming our planets.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54However, in some of the world's major cities,
0:37:54 > 0:37:58people are reconnecting with nature in more traditional ways.
0:38:01 > 0:38:055,500km from the UK across the Atlantic Ocean
0:38:05 > 0:38:08is the United States of America.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12To the north, it borders with Canada. To the south - Mexico.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19New York State lies in the north-east
0:38:19 > 0:38:22and a largest city in this state - New York.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28This is Union Square Market in New York.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31It sells produce that's grown locally,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34often on the roof tops of New York's tower blocks.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Andrew is a guru of high-rise bee keeping
0:38:40 > 0:38:42and a third generation bee keeper.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Until recently,
0:38:45 > 0:38:49keeping bees was considered too dangerous in a built-up area.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53The practice was illegal. But that didn't stop Andrew.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Yes, Sir, 10.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Would you like a bag?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00'The problems that we encountered were keeping our bees
0:39:00 > 0:39:01'out of the public eye.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04'We didn't want to be found out and caught.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08'Mostly because we didn't want to lose our bees.'
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Andrew's mission is to bring New Yorkers back to nature.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Over in Long Island City, one of the roughest neighbourhoods
0:39:19 > 0:39:22in New York, Stefanos is on the same assignment.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33I think one of the last things you'd expect to see is some semblance
0:39:33 > 0:39:38of nature and perhaps least of all, beehives.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42When this was illegal, rooftops like this one were the only place
0:39:42 > 0:39:46bee keepers could keep bees and not get caught.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56It's no longer illegal to do this in New York!
0:39:57 > 0:39:58Call off your men!
0:40:00 > 0:40:02At least the New York Police are now on their side.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06This one is perfect. Couldn't be better.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Look.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Today is a special day for Stefanos
0:40:11 > 0:40:14because he's harvesting his first batch of honey.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18Oh, man, this is going to be so good.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Oh, my God.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27That's just quality control.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32It's been a small step to legalise bee keeping in New York,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34but with big results.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39There are now near ten million bees kept on New York's rooftops
0:40:39 > 0:40:42and it is not just about the honey.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46Bees pollinate the flowers of New York's many urban parks and gardens.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50They are essential to the future of the city's plant life.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54But more importantly, they keep New Yorkers in touch with nature
0:40:54 > 0:40:58whilst producing food that has almost no carbon footprint.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02The bee keepers are contributing in their own small way
0:41:02 > 0:41:05to the city's green revolution.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11The Earth is a place of limited room and resources.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15We can't survive without nature providing for the inhabitants
0:41:15 > 0:41:16of the urban jungle.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20So the challenge for the future is to design cities that are more
0:41:20 > 0:41:23sustainable and in balance with the natural world.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27The bees of New York City are a small step in that direction.
0:42:15 > 0:42:22The rainforest is nature at its most mysterious, intense and competitive.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25It may appear plentiful as plants grow well in the damp heat,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29but for humans, this can be a very hostile environment.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32The jungle refuses to be tamed
0:42:32 > 0:42:36and it will punish those who don't live by its laws.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41Yet, even today, there are people who call these unforgiving forests "home".
0:42:45 > 0:42:4912,500km from the United Kingdom is the Indonesian Archipelago.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53The largest province in Indonesia is West Papua
0:42:53 > 0:42:56also known as Irian Jaya.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00It is an island that was divided in two for political reasons.
0:43:00 > 0:43:05It is habited chiefly by Papuans living in hundreds of tribes
0:43:05 > 0:43:07each with their own language and customs.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10One of the tribes is the Korowai.
0:43:13 > 0:43:19The West Papuan jungle - hot, humid and inaccessible.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22But the Korowai tribe who live in the Island's low lands
0:43:22 > 0:43:26are one of the very few communities in the world
0:43:26 > 0:43:29that truly understand how to live in such challenging surroundings.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Today, the Korowai are busy cutting
0:43:33 > 0:43:37and collecting wood for a very special reason.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40It will ultimately allow them to survive in an environment
0:43:40 > 0:43:43vulnerable to flooding and full of unfriendly plants,
0:43:43 > 0:43:45animals and insects.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51The Korowai understand that building a house on the jungle floor
0:43:51 > 0:43:55isn't the wisest move, so the tribe build their homes high up
0:43:55 > 0:43:58in the trees in the jungle's canopy.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01The first step is to assemble a ladder leading
0:44:01 > 0:44:02to the top of a tree or crown.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08The Korowai display great resourcefulness as all the materials
0:44:08 > 0:44:11they use to build their tree houses are found
0:44:11 > 0:44:13in and around the surrounding jungle.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16It's a very sustainable way to live.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21Even the raffia rope is made from palm trees.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25The Korowai are exceptionally strong
0:44:25 > 0:44:29and possess incredible climbing skills, but in other ways,
0:44:29 > 0:44:32people are the same all over the world.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39As one of the group's strongest climbers,
0:44:39 > 0:44:43Wyo is the foreman overseeing the most dangerous jobs.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53Wyo's right, it's a long way down.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57Falling 30 metres to the ground would mean certain death,
0:44:57 > 0:45:02but teetering in the tree tops is second nature to the Korowai.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05Thinning the branches ensures that the house
0:45:05 > 0:45:07won't shake apart in strong winds.
0:45:07 > 0:45:11As the house gradually takes shape, more trees come down,
0:45:11 > 0:45:15but they have to make sure that the trees fall in the right direction.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Again, the Korowai's understanding of the environment
0:45:17 > 0:45:20is second to none.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22WHOOPING
0:45:22 > 0:45:26The whooping is to warn other people that trees are falling.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34These tree houses are built around the strongest trees in the jungle -
0:45:34 > 0:45:36Ironwood trees.
0:45:36 > 0:45:40The tallest trees in the rainforest are called emergents.
0:45:40 > 0:45:45Building tree houses is not only a way to protect themselves
0:45:45 > 0:45:48but is a symbol of the mastery over the environment.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50The higher the house, the greater the prestige
0:45:50 > 0:45:54and with this one, they're really making a statement.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57The roof is made of sago palm leaves,
0:45:57 > 0:46:02while rows of tree bark are used to make the floor and walls.
0:46:02 > 0:46:07The floor needs to be strong as a family of up to a dozen
0:46:07 > 0:46:08will live here.
0:46:08 > 0:46:13In 2 weeks with 42 workers, countless felled trees,
0:46:13 > 0:46:1830 bundles of palm leaves, 16 rolls of bark and 5km of twine,
0:46:18 > 0:46:22the new house is complete and all sustainably sourced from the forest.
0:46:22 > 0:46:23It's time to move in.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29Everything has to be carried up, even the family pets.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33And it's a long way back down if you forget something.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41The first fire is ceremonially lit.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44It's an interesting way to bless a wooden tree house,
0:46:44 > 0:46:48but health and safety regulations have yet to reach these parts.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55Incredibly, parents seem very relaxed as their children
0:46:55 > 0:46:58explore the limits of their new home.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04This fantastic towering piece of architecture is a perfect
0:47:04 > 0:47:08illustration of the Korowai's incredible knowledge,
0:47:08 > 0:47:11skill and ingenuity, demonstrating their unique ability
0:47:11 > 0:47:14in adapting to a demanding jungle environment.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Forests contain a unique and rich range of plants and animals,
0:48:01 > 0:48:04but it's the trees themselves that are most in demand
0:48:04 > 0:48:06all around the world.
0:48:07 > 0:48:12Consequently, these biodiverse ecosystems are under
0:48:12 > 0:48:14significant threat due to heavy logging.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19Yet, there are a few places where its effects
0:48:19 > 0:48:21are far less destructive.
0:48:23 > 0:48:30India lies in South Asia, bordering with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32It has a population of one billion,
0:48:32 > 0:48:36making it the second most populous country in the world.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42North-east India is home to the last remaining rainforests
0:48:42 > 0:48:44of the country.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57The forests here include one of the most valuable resources
0:48:57 > 0:48:59known to man - timber.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03The demand for timber throughout India
0:49:03 > 0:49:06and neighbouring Bangladesh is relentless.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09The wood here is predominantly teak, one of the strongest
0:49:09 > 0:49:12and most valuable hardwoods in the world
0:49:12 > 0:49:16and is mainly used to build homes, doors and furniture.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20To meet this demand for teak, the forests have been heavily logged
0:49:20 > 0:49:23over the years and have steadily deteriorated.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27This commercial exploitation of trees is one of the greatest threats
0:49:27 > 0:49:30facing the world's rainforests,
0:49:30 > 0:49:35but it doesn't always have to lead to their total destruction.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45The indigenous people who live in this jungle are attempting
0:49:45 > 0:49:50to control some of the environmental devastation caused by logging.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53It's a very sustainable, forest-friendly solution
0:49:53 > 0:49:57and done by harnessing the raw power of one of nature's
0:49:57 > 0:50:00mightiest animals of the jungle.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02It's all about elephant power.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04This is Rampresad.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09A six-tonne Asian bull elephant and its handler, Samir.
0:50:12 > 0:50:17Elephants are perfectly adapted to this landscape.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21With incredible strength and surprising agility, they can drag
0:50:21 > 0:50:27huge logs through dense undergrowth, over steep hills and across rivers.
0:50:27 > 0:50:32They are an environmentally friendly alternative to logging machines.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35They can reach places other machinery can't.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39This allows the loggers to fell selected trees without
0:50:39 > 0:50:41completely clearing the jungle.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53Elephant power is far more sustainable.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56There's little pollution, no need for expensive spare parts
0:50:56 > 0:51:00and elephants run on 100% green fuel.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06But unlike machines, elephants have minds of their own
0:51:06 > 0:51:09and must be treated with respect.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12That responsibility falls on the people who train
0:51:12 > 0:51:13and look after them.
0:51:13 > 0:51:17These are known as mahouts, like Samir.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20Samir steers him by using over 100 different commands.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23He can be operated in a number of languages
0:51:23 > 0:51:26and even understands English.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29And Samir's pretty good in elephant.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41Along with many other elephants and their mahouts, Rampresad and Samir
0:51:41 > 0:51:45reach the collection site in plenty of time to load the trucks.
0:51:48 > 0:51:53Transporting logs to the sawmill is the only mechanised part
0:51:53 > 0:51:55of the entire process.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01But they're not out of the woods yet.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03The truck is stuck in the mud.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10Once again, elephant power proves superior.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14Job done, it's time for a well-earned wash.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19This way of logging is sustainable as long as the forests
0:52:19 > 0:52:23are allowed to regenerate by quickly replanting the chopped felled trees.
0:52:25 > 0:52:30Managing the forest in this way is done by the indigenous communities
0:52:30 > 0:52:33that live in them and leads to a secure source of income.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36It's through these partnerships with nature that people can better
0:52:36 > 0:52:39protect ecosystems.
0:53:30 > 0:53:35At the top of our planet lies one of the most remote places on earth -
0:53:35 > 0:53:37The Arctic.
0:53:37 > 0:53:40In winter, the region is frozen with little daylight for six months
0:53:40 > 0:53:42of the year.
0:53:42 > 0:53:46In the far north, there are no plants and no trees.
0:53:46 > 0:53:50Humans weren't really made to withstand a landscape
0:53:50 > 0:53:54as hostile as this and yet, four million people live here.
0:53:55 > 0:53:59Humans can only survive here if they live sustainably using skills
0:53:59 > 0:54:03that have been passed down from generation to generation.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07These are the Inuit and they're pretty tough.
0:54:09 > 0:54:14Over 3,000km from the UK is Greenland - a mountainous country
0:54:14 > 0:54:18and the majority of the people who live here have a strong connection
0:54:18 > 0:54:21with the Inuit in Canada, Alaska and Siberia.
0:54:25 > 0:54:29Siorapaluk is a small settlement on the west coast
0:54:29 > 0:54:33and most of the community here leads a traditional way of life.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46The Arctic is the coldest place on earth
0:54:46 > 0:54:48where humans live permanently
0:54:48 > 0:54:52and Siorapulik is the most northerly settlement on the planet.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55The Inuit people are able to survive here
0:54:55 > 0:54:58because they've developed an intimate knowledge
0:54:58 > 0:55:03of how animals in this unique environment exist and behave.
0:55:03 > 0:55:05This is Magssannguaq Oshima
0:55:05 > 0:55:09and every summer, he's treated to a spectacle.
0:55:09 > 0:55:14Millions of birds called little auks are migrating.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17They come to here to breed on the cliffs.
0:55:19 > 0:55:24For Magssannguaq, it's good news - this is a summer feast.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27But how will he catch them?
0:55:29 > 0:55:32Thousands of years ago,
0:55:32 > 0:55:36his ancestors worked out how to make nets out of sinew and driftwood.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41They created the same hiding spots that Magssannguaq uses today.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49On a good day, he can gather up to 500 birds.
0:56:08 > 0:56:10But he won't eat them now.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12Following ancient traditions,
0:56:12 > 0:56:15he buried the birds underground ready for the winner.
0:56:24 > 0:56:28The birds can be used to make kiviaq -
0:56:28 > 0:56:30a dish to save for a rainy day.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34The recipe is thousands of years old and it goes like this.
0:56:36 > 0:56:37Take one seal skin.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40Stuff as many little auks as you can inside - at least 500,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42sew it up.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45Make sure that you press all of the air out...
0:56:47 > 0:56:51..And coat it with seal fat to keep out flies.
0:56:54 > 0:56:58Finally, use a large rock to make sure that no more air gets in.
0:57:02 > 0:57:04It won't be ready for three months,
0:57:04 > 0:57:06but the frozen ground is a natural refrigerator.
0:57:06 > 0:57:10Come winter, Magssannguaq and his family
0:57:10 > 0:57:12will have a vital supply of food.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21Later in the winter, Magssannguaq and his father are already breaking
0:57:21 > 0:57:25into the stores of little auks they caught during the summer.
0:57:25 > 0:57:30The birds have now fermented and have become the inuit delicacy
0:57:30 > 0:57:31known as kiviaq.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37It's easy to tell if it's ready by the smell.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39It should sting the nostrils.
0:57:41 > 0:57:44This is why it is always polite to serve kiviaq outdoors.
0:57:47 > 0:57:51The flavour should resemble extremely intense gorgonzola cheese.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53Nothing is wasted.
0:57:53 > 0:57:55Everything is edible.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02The Inuit of North Greenland love kiviaq so much
0:58:02 > 0:58:05that it is the dish of choice for birthdays and weddings.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08And it is nutritious.
0:58:08 > 0:58:12Full of vitamins and minerals that will sustain people over
0:58:12 > 0:58:14the very cold and dark winter months.
0:58:18 > 0:58:22By using such ancient and sustainable hunting techniques,
0:58:22 > 0:58:26the inuit are ensuring that their people can eat all year around
0:58:26 > 0:58:29whilst maintaining sufficient food stocks for the future.