Extinction: The Facts

Duration: 58'01''

Synopsis

With a million species at risk of extinction, David Attenborough explores how this crisis of biodiversity has consequences for us all, including putting us at greater risk of pandemic diseases.

Further Information

More clips from Extinction: The Facts

Biodiversity loss | Extinction: The Facts

Biodiversity loss | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 4'12''

An exploration of the devastating impacts of the loss of insect and plant biodiversity.

Consumption and waste | Extinction: The Facts

Consumption and waste | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 3'30''

The impact of consumption and waste on biodiversity.

Habitat destruction | Extinction: The Facts

Habitat destruction | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 4'31''

The impact of soy consumption on habitats, with a focus on ant eater habitats.

How human impact on the environment is increasing the emergence of new diseases | Extinction: The Facts

How human impact on the environment is increasing the emergence of new diseases | Extinction: The Facts

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An explanation as to why pandemic diseases are becoming more common d...

The fishing industry | Extinction: The Facts

The fishing industry | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 2'50''

The devastating impact of the fishing industry on ocean ecosystems.

The pangolin trade | Extinction: The Facts

The pangolin trade | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 4'23''

Animal trade is one of the key ways that humans are destroying ecosystems and pangolin's are believed to be the world's most traff...

Wildlife and the spread of viruses | Extinction: The Facts

Wildlife and the spread of viruses | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 3'54''

An exploration of how human interference with wildlife and habitats has caused the spread of viruses.

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Amazon deforestation | Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

Amazon deforestation | Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

BBC One | 2019 | 4'21''

Liz Bonnin witnesses the devastation of the Amazon rainforest from the sky.

Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

BBC One | 2019 | 57'43''

From colossal farms in America to the destruction of the Amazon, Liz Bonnin investigates how our hunger for meat is killing our planet.

David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth

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BBC One | 2026 | 1'31'15''

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Keeping cool | Nature's Microworlds

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BBC Four | 2013 | 2'12''

The Namaqua chameleon has developed an ingenious tactic to avoid the heat of the Namib desert.

04: Galapagos: Enchanted Isles | Eden: Untamed Planet

04: Galapagos: Enchanted Isles | Eden: Untamed Planet

BBC Two | 2022 | 48'31''

How the Galapagos became one of the most important areas of biodiversity in the world, with almost 2,000 unique species...

06: Coasts | Blue Planet II

06: Coasts | Blue Planet II

BBC One | 2017 | 58'02''

The wildlife series narrated by David Attenborough explores the planet's coasts. They are the most changeable of the ocean worlds, but they offer...

Cauldron of Life | Galapagos

Cauldron of Life | Galapagos

BBC One | 2017 | 57'36''

Liz Bonnin joins a scientific team aboard the research vessel the Alucia on an expedition across the Galapagos Island.

Climate change and greenhouse gases | Climate Change: The Facts

Climate change and greenhouse gases | Climate Change: The Facts

BBC One | 2019 | 1'50''

A discussion of the devastating impact of burning fossil fuels.

Cotton production and the Aral Sea crisis | Stacey Dooley Investigates

Cotton production and the Aral Sea crisis | Stacey Dooley Investigates

BBC Three | 2018 | 5'02''

Stacey Dooley visits the Aral Sea Basin in Kazakhstan, which has almost entirely dried up due to cotto...

Desert amphibians | Life in Cold Blood

Desert amphibians | Life in Cold Blood

BBC One | 2010 | 1'13''

Spadefoot toads can stay underground in a state of suspended animation for years, but when they emerge they must feed and breed before...

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BBC One | 2015 | 2'05''

The fennec's ears help it to survive in the heat of the desert dunes.

03: Coral Reefs | Blue Planet II

03: Coral Reefs | Blue Planet II

BBC One | 2017 | 58'12''

The wildlife documentary series narrated by David Attenborough reveals the ingenious ways life exists in the undersea cities of tropical reefs.

Adaptation of Polar Bear | Life In The Snow

Adaptation of Polar Bear | Life In The Snow

BBC One | 2016 | 5'29''

An exploration of how polar bears have adapted to living in freezing conditions.

Cattle feedyard | Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

Cattle feedyard | Meat: A Threat to Our Planet?

BBC One | 2019 | 3'42''

Liz Bonnin visits a cattle feedyard, a mass factory farm, that contains about 50,000 cows.

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02: Great Barrier Reef | Blue Planet Revisited

BBC One | 2020 | 59'02''

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BBC HD | 2009 | 58'19''

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Adaptation of the Arctic Fox | Life In The Snow

Adaptation of the Arctic Fox | Life In The Snow

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Chameleon challenge | Life

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BBC Two | 2021 | 3'43''

While searching for a mate across the huge barren Namib desert, a female Namaqua chameleon seeks shade in the knowledge that tasty desert beetles ...

07: Our Blue Planet | Blue Planet II

07: Our Blue Planet | Blue Planet II

BBC One | 2017 | 57'39''

David Attenborough explores the issues behind the series' most spectacular stories and examines the future of the planet.

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Ants vs Cows | Natural World

BBC Two | 2017 | 2'09''

The super colony unites in a spectacular attack to defend their nest from curious cows.

The mystery of the whale shark nursery | Blue Planet II

The mystery of the whale shark nursery | Blue Planet II

BBC One | 2017 | 3'08''

Nutrients from the deep provide sustenance for a large gathering of sea life.

03: Jungles | Planet Earth II

03: Jungles | Planet Earth II

BBC One | 2016 | 58'00'''

Jungles provide the richest habitats on the planet - mysterious worlds of high drama where extraordinary animals attempt to survive in the most...

Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood

Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood

BBC Two | 2014 | 3'53''

Wall lizards take advantage of foul-smelling dead-horse arums.

How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon

How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon

BBC Two | 2009 | 58'22''

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06: Ice Worlds | Planet Earth

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07: Worlds of Wonder | Frozen Planet II

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Greta meets David Attenborough | Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World

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Views on COP26 | Climate Change: The Facts

BBC One | 2021 | 3'06''

COP26 delegates and climate scientist Hannah Cloke discuss their hopes for the COP26 conference.

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Mate or die trying | Seven Worlds, One Planet

BBC One | 2021 | 2'46''

A male Jotus spider waves it paddle-like limbs to attract a mate.

Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour

Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour

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A poison dart frog fights off a contender until he's sufficiently warned off.

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Self-sacrificing fish | Life

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The pangolin trade | Extinction: The Facts

The pangolin trade | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 4'23''

Animal trade is one of the key ways that humans are destroying ecosystems and pangolin's are believed to be the world's most traff...