Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
We know that human activity on a large scale, massive deforestation, the near universal use of fossil fuels is changing the climate. But can anything that you or I do individually, can that have an effect? Well, over half the carbon dioxide produced by mankind comes from our domestic activities.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Meet the Carbons. They're a fictional family living somewhere in the Western world.
They occupy an average suburban house outside an average city.
The Carbons depend on an average amount of electric power, it comes to them by an energy grid powered primarily by fossil fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas.
The Carbons are not bad people.
MR CARBON
Girls, do you want coffee, pancakes?
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
But as Westerners, they have one of the most energy-hungry lifestyles on the planet.
MRS CARBON
Girls
EMILY CARBON
What's for breakfast?
FEMALE SPEAKER 1
Yeah.
MR CARBON
Pancakes. Dad cakes.
MRS CARBON
Pancakes. What you want, a pancake?
FEMALE SPEAKER 1
Yeah.
MRS CARBON
Here you go.
MR CARBON
I'll call you from the airport.
EMILY CARBON
Over
MR CARBON
Bye.
MRS CARBON
Bye.
[CAR STARTING]
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
Mr. Carbon's car, like most, spews out a lot of carbon dioxide.
[DOG BARKING]
And the Carbon family has two cars. Every year between them they pump a staggering 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ten tonnes per car.
But it's not just the cars.
MRS CARBON
Emily.
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH
Running the Carbon's family home, with all its comforts, uses almost as much energy as their vehicles do.
[ELECTRIC METER TURNING]
[KETTLE WHISTLING]
Every device, functional or fun, has a knock-on effect
[LOADING DISHWASHER]
at the power plant.
Scientists fear that at this rate these everyday emissions could, within 50 years, push our climate to a critical point where change is no longer gradual but sudden and extreme.
There's no threat of extinction in the Carbon's house. On the contrary, there is plenty of food here.
Often it will have crossed continents by the time it reaches their kitchen.
Transporting this food accounts for over a tenth of the carbons annual greenhouse emissions, and it doesn't end there.
[FILLING TRASHCAN]
More carbon dioxide is produced by the Carbon's rubbish.
[TAKING TRASH OUT]
[TRASH TRUCK PICKING UP TRASH]
Buried in a landfill, the rubbish heats up as it decomposes, releasing greenhouse gases into the air.
All the while, the carbon dioxide blanket surrounding the earth is getting thicker, pushing the planet's ecosystems closer to the point of no return.
[AIRPLANE FLYING]
Mr Carbon dreams of a tropical rainforest holiday, but today he's on a business trip.
When he flies, he's contributing to the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide.
Even with plans for more efficient engines, emissions from airplanes worldwide are set to double in the next 25 years.