If you’ve not noticed, nature extravaganza series Planet Earth has returned for its third series, and it’s one of the best shows you can watch this month. David Attenborough may be approaching being a centenarian, but the veteran broadcaster and all-round highest authority on all things nature is still making incredible TV. Planet Earth III comes seven years after Planet Earth II, and much has changed in the world since.

There are plenty of amazing animals and vistas to immerse yourself in- but in a world increasingly altered by climate change, Sir David remains focused on warning of the dangers to our world. Here’s why it’s an essential watch:

Why is Planet Earth III worth watching?

Everyone knows what to expect from an Attenborough doc- amazing eye candy imagery of mammals, fish, insects, birds and every other creature on our planet (including us). There’s grand vistas of the green wonders of the rainforest to the browns and orange sands of the desert, too. But Planet Earth has always stood out as his most “blockbuster”, and a series that truly needs to be seen to be believed- it even has Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer scoring the animal action. 4K definition and drone technologies mean Planet Earth III looks great, but now more than ever the presenter wants us to know that time is running out to stop the impacts of climate change.

‌What can we expect in Planet Earth III?

But the speed of the change in our planet is noticeable to a man who’s lived for over nine decades. In episode three, Deserts & Grasslands, he shows us how the Cerrado grasslands in Brazil have been eroded for farming purposes, at twice the rate of the cutting down of the Amazon. A family of maned wolves living there are trying to adapt to an uncertain future. Attenborough however offers a positive glimpse of what can happen when these places are cared for and protected, ending the episode with a look at a grand gathering of wildlife in Africa after steps were made to curb habitat destruction.

‌Where can I watch Planet Earth III, and is there a trailer?

Planet Earth III makes for essential viewing, especially if you love animals and the places they live, and it’s even more important to watch now. It’s got a clear and vital message to listen to, and there’s no other show on TV that makes the natural world feel quite so cinematic. You can check out the trailer below:

Planet Earth III’s first 4 episodes are available now on iPlayer, with the rest airing on Sunday evenings on BBC One
Want more documentaries about nature and climate change? Click here
Feel like watching some Netflix docs instead? Try these

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