Six-Part Series Premieres Mon, Dec. 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Hungry City
Mon, Dec. 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Today, food travels 1,500 miles on average to reach consumers. By 2050, food will have to travel even farther to cities – amassing more and more carbon emissions – and water will be in short supply. Plus, the meat and dairy industries will continue to put a strain on the environment by producing dangerous methane emissions. In this episode, Dr. Kammen explores the four future-forward technologies of urban farming, methane capture, sound-powered refrigeration and recycling water that could help reduce the risk of a food and water crisis in the cities of tomorrow.
Road to the Future
Mon, Dec. 15, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Two billion vehicles and a seven-fold aviation increase by 2050 could pour 12 gigatons of carbon dioxide into Earth’s atmosphere. Ecopolis rethinks the technology of transportation to help minimize carbon’s impact on the atmosphere. Four new advancements – algae biofuels, fuel cell vehicles, blended wing aircraft and the electric jeepney – present compelling opportunities and unique challenges for the future.
A World of Trash
Mon, Dec. 22, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Trash is another environmental issue fast encroaching upon the city of the future. How will humans deal with the piles of garbage and human waste that will double compared to today’s levels? In this episode, Dr. Kammen examines four ideas that could revolutionize our trash and waste issues, including building a landfill island, gas plasma power, sewage heating and biochar fertilizer.
Building the Future
Mon, Dec. 29, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Currently, metropolitan areas cover roughly 2 percent of Earth’s surface but account for approximately 75 percent of the world’s energy demand. The buildings within those cities are inefficient, simply leaking 13 percent of the energy used back into the environment. If we are to create a less wasteful future, the buildings of tomorrow must become more energy efficient and four technologies – super-efficient Aerogel insulation, hybrid solar lighting, green roofs and nano-solar PV cells – may help.
Powering the Future
Mon, Jan. 5, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
In 2050, experts estimate, the world’s urban areas will use nearly three times more energy than today’s cities. Burning fossil fuels is the most likely source for that power, and that means producing five times more carbon dioxide emissions per person. Cutting those CO2 emissions could mean turning to nuclear fusion power, wind turbines, solar power, and/or carbon recapture and storage.
Ultimate Ecopolis
Mon, Jan. 12, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
In this episode, Dr. Kammen reviews 20 bold solutions to five challenging environmental issues facing future cities. Based on the feasibility of implementing the technologies involved and on the solutions' ability to reduce carbon production, Kammen has narrowed the list to five of the best. Now, he will decide which single innovation should take priority in the fight to save our future cities.
