Our Planet

"Our Planet" is a landmark documentary series narrated by Sir David Attenborough, created by Silverback Films in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Building on the legacy of acclaimed series like "Planet Earth," this show distinguishes itself with a more direct and urgent environmental message woven throughout its narrative. The first season's eight episodes each explore a different key biome—from the Arctic's frozen worlds to the dense jungles and the vast high seas—showcasing the breathtaking beauty and intricate interconnectedness of life on Earth.

Unlike its predecessors, which often saved conservation themes for the final episode, "Our Planet" integrates the harsh realities of climate change, habitat loss, and human impact into every chapter. Viewers are presented with stunning, never-before-seen footage of animal behavior, captured over four years in 50 countries by more than 600 crew members, while simultaneously being confronted with the fragility of these ecosystems. The series serves as both a celebration of the planet's remaining natural wonders and a stark, compelling call to action, emphasizing that the stability of nature can no longer be taken for granted and that the next few decades are critical for the future of all life.

The core meaning of "Our Planet" is to demonstrate the profound interconnectedness of all life on Earth and to issue an urgent, unambiguous warning about the devastating impact of human activity on the planet's delicate ecosystems. The creators move beyond mere spectacle, aiming to fundamentally shift the nature documentary genre by placing the climate and nature crisis at the forefront of the narrative. The series argues that we are the first generation to fully comprehend the scale of our destruction and potentially the last with the opportunity to reverse the damage.

Through a combination of awe-inspiring beauty and heartbreaking truths, the series carries a message of shared responsibility and fragile hope. It posits that the health of the natural world is inseparable from human well-being and that restoring biodiversity is essential for global stability. Ultimately, "Our Planet" is not just a documentary but a global impact project designed to "mainstream green" by educating millions, inspiring urgent action, and proving that while the threats are real, so is our capacity for change.

While overwhelmingly praised, "Our Planet" did face some criticism and alternative interpretations. Some critics, like Ed Power of The Telegraph, found the series visually stunning but thematically familiar, arguing it was clichéd in its portrayal of nature and lacked the groundbreaking innovations of Attenborough's previous BBC work. Another point of debate centered on the intense and often brutal depiction of animal suffering. The walrus scene, while impactful, was criticized by some parents for being too graphic and emotionally distressing for younger viewers watching with their families, prompting Netflix to add time-stamped warnings for potentially upsetting content.

Furthermore, a subtle scientific debate emerged around the walrus scene itself. While the series directly links the behavior to climate change forcing them ashore, some scientists noted that such falls have been documented in the past, even when sea ice was more plentiful. However, others who worked with the film crew confirmed that the size and frequency of these dangerous land-based "haul-outs" have dramatically increased in recent years due to shrinking ice, making such deadly events more common. This discussion highlights the complexities of attributing any single event solely to climate change, even when it fits into a larger, well-documented pattern of environmental disruption.

"Our Planet" marked a significant turning point in the genre of nature documentaries. Created by the veterans of the BBC's Natural History Unit, it was Netflix's first major foray into the field and was designed as a "global impact project" in partnership with the WWF. Its primary innovation was shifting the conservation message from a subtle epilogue to the central, driving force of the narrative. This explicit focus on the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss was a direct response to criticism that previous documentaries presented a falsely idyllic vision of a thriving natural world.

Upon its release in 2019, the series became a global media event, reaching an estimated 100 million households within two years and sparking widespread conversation. The harrowing scene of walruses falling from a cliff, in particular, became an iconic and viral moment, viscerally demonstrating the consequences of climate change and leading to intense emotional reactions and debates among viewers. Critically, the series received universal acclaim for its stunning 4K cinematography, immersive sound design, and powerful storytelling, earning a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The series' influence was measurable; research conducted by the WWF showed that viewers reported increased awareness, concern, and knowledge about environmental issues. It proved that content with a hard-hitting environmental message could be commercially successful with mainstream audiences and helped elevate the climate and nature conversation among the public and policymakers. The legacy of "Our Planet" is its success in "mainstreaming green," demonstrating that awe-inspiring entertainment can also be a powerful and effective tool for advocacy and education on a global scale.

"Our Planet" was met with overwhelmingly positive audience reception, achieving massive global viewership and critical acclaim. Netflix reported that 25 million households were expected to watch in its first month, a number that grew to 100 million by March 2021. On review aggregator sites, it holds a 93% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a weighted average score of 88 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim".

Audiences widely praised the series' breathtaking cinematography, calling the visuals exceptional and spectacular. However, the most significant point of discussion was its direct and emotionally impactful environmental message. Many viewers found the series to be a powerful, essential, and urgent call to action. The walrus scene in the "Frozen Worlds" episode became a major talking point, with many describing it as heartbreaking and harrowing, yet crucial for understanding the real-world impact of climate change. While this frankness was lauded by most, it was also a point of minor criticism, with some viewers finding the "we're killing this planet" message heavy-handed, and some parents expressing concern over the graphic nature of certain scenes for young children. Overall, the series was seen as a monumental and important work that successfully educated and inspired millions.