The Documentary Podcast Looking for No Man's Land
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Jan 11, 2026 Join a captivating quest to uncover if there's a patch of Earth untouched by humans. Experts argue that pristine places likely don't exist, as humans have been altering landscapes for thousands of years. The search shifts underwater, revealing shocking plastic pollution even in the deepest ocean trenches. Hydrothermal vents, once thought to be isolated, still show signs of human impact, while subglacial lakes in Antarctica yield life, raising questions about pristine ecosystems. This exploration reflects on our relationship with the planet and the hope that remains.
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Human Influence Predates Industrialisation
- People have altered most of Earth's land for thousands of years, not just since industrialisation.
- Earl Ellis's backcast model shows about 75% of land was already changed 12,000 years ago.
Climate Change Reaches Everywhere
- Human-caused warming and CO2 have altered temperatures and atmospheric composition across nearly all land.
- NASA visualisations and Mark Subarau show atmospheric CO2 and warming are effectively global.
Human CO2 Wraps The Planet
- Human-made CO2 now makes up a large, globally distributed portion of atmospheric carbon.
- Mark Subarau's modelling shows anthropogenic CO2 forms a pervasive layer around the globe.