Watch Mass Extinction: Life at the Brink

Mass Extinction: Life at the Brink is a documentary that first aired on PBS in 2014. The show was produced by the award-winning production company, Tigress Productions, and narrated by renowned actor and conservationist, David Attenborough. The show explores the five main mass extinction events on Earth, from the first major extinction event that occurred over 450 million years ago to the most recent event that saw the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. The show also looks at the current threats to biodiversity and the impact humans are having on the planet.

The first episode starts with the Ordovician-Silurian extinction event, which occurred around 440 million years ago. This event wiped out around 85% of marine species, including trilobites and graptolites, which were among the most abundant animals at the time. The show explores the causes of this extinction, including the movement of continents, climate change, and a drop in sea level. The episode also introduces viewers to some of the species that survived this event, such as the jawless fish and early corals.

The second episode focuses on the Devonian extinction event, which occurred around 360 million years ago. This event saw the extinction of around 70% of marine species, including the trilobites and many types of fish. The show looks at the role that climate change played in this extinction and introduces viewers to some of the species that evolved during this time, such as the first land plants and early tetrapods, the animals that eventually evolved into land-dwelling vertebrates.

The third episode explores the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which occurred around 250 million years ago and is considered the most catastrophic extinction event in Earth's history. Over 90% of marine species and around 70% of terrestrial vertebrates went extinct during this event. The show explores the possible causes of this extinction, including massive volcanic eruptions and a rapid rise in temperature. The episode also introduces viewers to some of the species that survived this event, such as the ancestors of today's mammals.

The fourth episode looks at the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event, which occurred around 200 million years ago and saw the extinction of around 20% of marine species and many terrestrial species, including most of the large reptiles. The show explores the causes of this extinction, including climate change and the impact of a large asteroid. The episode also introduces viewers to some of the species that evolved during this time, such as the first birds and the ancestors of the dinosaurs.

The final episode focuses on the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which occurred around 65 million years ago and saw the extinction of the dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and many marine species. The show explores the causes of this extinction, including a large asteroid impact, volcanic activity, and climate change. The episode also looks at the aftermath of this extinction and how life on Earth recovered and evolved over the following millions of years.

Throughout the series, the show highlights the importance of biodiversity and the impact that humans are having on the planet. The show brings in experts from various fields, such as paleontology, geology, and biology, to provide insight and context into the events being discussed.

Overall, Mass Extinction: Life at the Brink is a fascinating and informative guide to the five major mass extinction events in Earth's history. The show combines stunning visuals with in-depth scientific analysis and compelling storytelling to create a documentary that is both entertaining and educational. The show's message about the importance of protecting biodiversity and the need for humans to take action to mitigate the impact of climate change makes it a timely and relevant watch.