Film Review: The Year Earth Changed
The Year Earth Changed. Presented by BBC Studios and Apple TV+
Written by: Belle McIntyre
THE YEAR EARTH CHANGED (2021) DIR. TOM BEARD
The innumerable human changes which were wrought by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent global lockdown which continued in varying degrees for a year were profound and will probably not be fully comprehended for quite some time. Besides the first and foremost pain and suffering of the sick and dying, the families and the caregivers, the concurrent economic damage caused by lost jobs and shuttered businesses, societal disruption caused by isolation and uncertainty have created ancillary consequences yet to be assessed.
The Year Earth Changed. Presented by BBC Studios and Apple TV+
However, there were things happening in nature which were immediately obvious to even non-scientist citizens all over the world. In cities, along with the eerie silence of trafficless streets and skies, and pedestrian-free sidewalks, there was, most-noticeably, the sound of birdsongs. In a very short time, there was also a proliferation of clear and beautiful pollution-free air.
The Year Earth Changed. Presented by BBC Studios and Apple TV+
But this is only the tip of the iceberg which is revealed in this extraordinary documentary produced by BBC Studio’s Natural History Unit. Apparently, the producers, immediately knew there must be effects on many aspects of nature, and since they have access to a wide-ranging network of scientists and nature photographers all over the world, they put them to work to record what was happening in the non-human realm. Not knowing what they would end up with, the results are amazing and dramatic. The film covers five continents, is narrated by the “voice” of nature films, Sir David Attenborough, with glorious cinematography and accompanied by a soaring evocative soundtrack, it reveals some wondrous and remarkable occurrences.
The Year Earth Changed. Presented by BBC Studios and Apple TV+
In the absence of people, animals behaved very differently, their adaptive behaviors (to us) were dropped. Whales, who communicate with eco-location, suddenly not having to compete with the disruptive sounds of boat engines, began using new sounds to express themselves. The same thing occurred with certain bird species whose songs changed. Sea turtles off the Florida coast, whose population was in decline – finally had a great year since the pregnant females could come onto the empty beaches and lay their eggs safely. The earth’s atmosphere had the least carbon monoxide in 40 years. The message is embarrassingly obvious, when humans take themselves out of the equation nature gets more natural and it thrives. Clearly, even David Attenborough is not advocating for endless lockdown. There is just the understated thought that we humans could be a lot more mindful of the natural world and why it should be protected and nurtured. The case is beautifully and compellingly made.
(Available on Apple TV)
