3: The Challenger | How To Grow A Planet

Duration: 58'16''

Synopsis

Professor Iain Stewart explains how grass fought its enemy, the forests, how it transformed ocean life and how it triggered human civilisation.

Further Information

More clips from How to Grow a Planet

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'29''

How plants have driven the greatest changes to the Earth. Prof Iain Stewart shows how they first harnessed light from the sun and c...

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'05''

In the second episode, Iain discovers how flowers have transformed our planet. He journeys to the remote islands of the South ...

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'29''

How plants have driven the greatest changes to the Earth. Prof Iain Stewart shows how they first harnessed light from the sun and c...

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'05''

In the second episode, Iain discovers how flowers have transformed our planet. He journeys to the remote islands of the South ...

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'29''

How plants have driven the greatest changes to the Earth. Prof Iain Stewart shows how they first harnessed light from the sun and c...

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'05''

In the second episode, Iain discovers how flowers have transformed our planet. He journeys to the remote islands of the South ...

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'29''

How plants have driven the greatest changes to the Earth. Prof Iain Stewart shows how they first harnessed light from the sun and c...

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

2: The Power Of Flowers | How To Grow A Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'05''

In the second episode, Iain discovers how flowers have transformed our planet. He journeys to the remote islands of the South ...

More resources about Ecosystems and Biomes

4: Jungles - People of the Trees | Human Planet

4: Jungles - People of the Trees | Human Planet

BBC One | 2011 | 58'58''

Series examining man's survival in extreme environments. A look at life in the rainforest, which requires great skill, ingenu...

3: Alaska | Arctic with Bruce Parry

3: Alaska | Arctic with Bruce Parry

BBC Two | 2011 | 59'26''

Bruce travels to Alaska, America's last great wilderness, where modern-day pioneers are harvesting the vast natural wealth of the seas.

Dying for a Biscuit | Panorama

Dying for a Biscuit | Panorama

BBC One | 2010 | 29'06''

Reporter Raphael Rowe journeys into the rainforest of Borneo, where he uncovers evidence of palm oil companies developing plantations on prote...

2: Deserts - Life in the Furnace | Human Planet

2: Deserts - Life in the Furnace | Human Planet

BBC One | 2011 | 59'01''

A look at how the eternal quest for water brings huge challenges - and ingenious solutions - for millions of people in the dr...

3: Arctic - Life in the Deep Freeze | Human Planet

3: Arctic - Life in the Deep Freeze | Human Planet

BBC One | 2011 | 58'48''

The remarkable stories of some of the extraordinary people who make their homes in the Arctic, the harshest environment on...

Episode 1 | Amazon with Bruce Parry

Episode 1 | Amazon with Bruce Parry

BBC Two | 2008 | 59'10''

Bruce Parry begins an epic adventure in the Amazon. The first part of his journey takes him from the High Andes to the Ashaninka tribe.

4: Canada | Arctic with Bruce Parry

4: Canada | Arctic with Bruce Parry

BBC Two | 2011 | 59'39''

Bruce travels to the far north of Canada to live with the Caribou people and witness their annual spring hunt. He then heads south to the...

Chris Packham: In Search of the Lost Girl

Chris Packham: In Search of the Lost Girl

BBC Two | 2018 | 58'58''

Chris Packham returns to Sumatra to search for a girl from a nomadic tribe he photographed 20 years ago to discover what has happen...

Episode 2 | Amazon with Bruce Parry

Episode 2 | Amazon with Bruce Parry

BBC Two | 2008 | 59'07''

Bruce Parry voyages along the entire length of the Amazon. Continuing his trip, the adventurer wears a black dress for an extremely unusu...

S3E1: Matis | Tribe

S3E1: Matis | Tribe

BBC Two | 2007 | 58'47''

Explorer Bruce Parry travels to the Amazon rainforest to live with the Matis, a tribe once devastated by western disease who are determined to preserve t...

2: Greenland | Arctic with Bruce Parry

2: Greenland | Arctic with Bruce Parry

BBC Two | 2011 | 59'07''

Bruce Parry journeys to the far north of Greenland, home to the last traditional Inuit hunters, and learns how climate change is threa...

Rocks in a glacier | The Secret Life of Ice

Rocks in a glacier | The Secret Life of Ice

BBC Four | 2011 | 2'38''

Dr Gabrielle Walker investigates how glaciers grinds down rock.

Episode 2 | Simon Reeve's South America

Episode 2 | Simon Reeve's South America

BBC Two | 2022 | 59'05''

Simon travels through Brazil, from the heart of the Amazon rainforest to the coast and the glamorous-but-troubled city of Rio de Jane...

S1E1: Amazon | Earth's Great Rivers

S1E1: Amazon | Earth's Great Rivers

BBC Two | 2019 | 58'58''

Documentary revealing the animals, landscapes and people of the greatest river on earth. From transparent lagoons to pink dolphins, the A...

S1E2: Nile | Earth's Great Rivers

S1E2: Nile | Earth's Great Rivers

BBC Two | 2019 | 59'00''

A look at the astonishing wildlife, landscapes and people of the Nile. From elephants and leopards to ancient wonders, its great length is ...

6: Grasslands - Roots of Power | Human Planet

6: Grasslands - Roots of Power | Human Planet

BBC One | 2011 | 58'37''

Documentary featuring the remarkable people who live in the world's grasslands, exploring their relationship with the natural w...

Glacier moving | The Secret Life of Ice

Glacier moving | The Secret Life of Ice

BBC Four | 2011 | 3'35''

Dr Gabrielle Walker explores the Jostedalsbreen glacier in Norway and explains how glaciers move.

Growing cities | Earth From Space

Growing cities | Earth From Space

BBC One | 2019 | 2'02''

Satellite images depict the growth of cities over time.

S1E3: Mississippi | Earth's Great Rivers

S1E3: Mississippi | Earth's Great Rivers

BBC Two | 2019 | 59'07''

The surprising story of the Mississippi, a river that unites the USA. From frozen waterfalls to time-travelling barges, the Mississi...

25: Antarctica | Deadly Pole to Pole

25: Antarctica | Deadly Pole to Pole

CBBC | 2014 | 28'28''

Steve's journey finally comes to an end at the land of extremes - the least inhabited, remotest, highest, driest, coldest and windiest c...

More from Iain Stewart

1: Deep Earth | How Earth Made Us

1: Deep Earth | How Earth Made Us

BBC Two | 2010 | 59'24''

Series telling the story of how the development of civilisation was influenced by planetary forces. Professor Iain Stewart explores the rol...

5: Rare Earth | Earth: The Power of the Planet

5: Rare Earth | Earth: The Power of the Planet

BBC Two | 2007 | 58'54''

Life on Earth prospers because it enjoys the right amount of heat from the sun, and the atmosphere prevents meteorite bombardm...

Episode 1 | Planet Oil: The Treasure That Conquered The World

Episode 1 | Planet Oil: The Treasure That Conquered The World

BBC Four | 2017 | 59'16''

From the moment we first drilled for oil, we opened a Pandora's box that changed the world forever. It transfor...

Eurasia | Rise of the Continents

Eurasia | Rise of the Continents

BBC Two | 2013 | 59'04''

Professor Iain Stewart shows that where the south of Eurasia is today there was once an ocean and how, in 250 million years, all of the cont...

Iceland Erupts: A Volcano Live Special | Volcano Live

Iceland Erupts: A Volcano Live Special | Volcano Live

BBC Two | 2012 | 59'03''

Kate Humble heads to Iceland and meets the scientists monitoring the country's most dangerous volcanoes. She also inves...

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

1: Life From Light | How to Grow a Planet

BBC One | 2012 | 59'29''

How plants have driven the greatest changes to the Earth. Prof Iain Stewart shows how they first harnessed light from the sun and c...

1: Scotland's Trees | Making Scotland's Landscape

1: Scotland's Trees | Making Scotland's Landscape

BBC One | 2010 | 59'30''

Professor Iain Stewart reveals how Scotland's unique landscape was shaped. Here, he uncovers the devastating impact of mank...

1: Deep Time | Men of Rock

1: Deep Time | Men of Rock

BBC Two | 2010 | 59'05''

Iain Stewart tells the story of James Hutton, the founding father of geology. This Scottish thinker overturned ancient beliefs about how and when ...

1: Tsunamis | 10 Things You Didn't Know About...

1: Tsunamis | 10 Things You Didn't Know About...

BBC Four | 2008 | 58'56''

Iain Stewart journeys across the oceans to explore stories about the most powerful giant waves in history, including how one...

4: Japan | Journeys into the Ring of Fire

4: Japan | Journeys into the Ring of Fire

BBC One | 2006 | 59'00''

Iain Stewart tours the perilous and spectacular landscape of the Pacific Rim, visiting Japan to see how the huge population live on...