GOOD NEWS FROM PLANET EARTH – How does nature conservation benefit us?

Ecosystems, the habitats of animal and plant species, are also important for humans. Intact natural paradises contribute to climate protection and secure our food supply. Committed environmentalists show us how we can preserve our natural resources.

In the USA, Native Americans are working with park rangers to rebuild wild bison herds. This is reviving a species-rich prairie that can store huge amounts of carbon dioxide. On Raja Ampat, an archipelago in Indonesia, so-called ‘shark mamas’ are raising zebra sharks in breeding stations. As guardians of the coral reefs, the sharks ensure that the habitat remains intact. Barcelona’s Besòs river was once one of the dirtiest rivers in the world – today, thanks to the commitment of scientists and conservationists, it is clean and rich in biodiversity again. A ‘meeting garden’ in the Bavarian municipality of Lautertal shows how nature conservation and social engagement can be combined. Also in Bavaria, biologists are proving that every species and its habitat is worth protecting – even the tiny Bavarian pine vole.

TEAM
Head writer: Tanja Winkler // Writers: Salim Butt-Lutz, Frank Nischk, Claudia Schmitt, Hendrik S. Schmitt // Camera: Claudia Schmitt, Hendrik S. Schmitt, Marcel Herrmann, Sven Kiesche, David Perpiñán, Erik Sick // Motion design: Simon Schnellmann // Editing: Jan Wilm Schmülling, Isabelle Albert, Mathis Hohmann // Music: Thomas Wolter, Ralf Schurbohm // Narrators: Philipp Schepmann, Yvon Jansen // Sound mix: Florian Ebrecht // Research: Erik Benger, David Rückle // Production manager: Katja Sträter // Producer: Oskar Köppen // Executive producers: Thomas Weidenbach, Sarah Zierul // Commissioning editors: Doris Fenske (BR), Katja Ferwagner (BR/Arte)

Produced by Längengrad Filmproduktion on behalf of BR in collaboration with ARTE.