Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.
If you haven’t heard, the world’s ending. People aren’t panicking, though, because it’s a slow-motion murder of the planet, one where we don’t automatically experience the consequences of climate change until it’s too late. And it’s pretty much too late. However, we can mitigate the most severe effects of climate change, and it’s never too late to start trying.
According to the latest 8,000-page IPCC Report on Climate Change, various ecosystems will continue their collapse as heatwaves, warming waters, rising tides, and climate feedback loops create species extinction, a mass refugee crisis, planetary food shortage, the destruction of coastal cities, and social upheaval the likes of which the world has never known. We will be killing each other over food in 120 years, and the human species will likely die out.
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If the IPCC report isn’t your cup of tea and you’re looking for a much more entertaining and fun way to celebrate Earth Day, the delightful yet important new series, Jane, is perfect for kids and adults alike. The Apple TV+ series is one of many titles that the streaming platform is releasing to celebrate the environmental holiday and promote awareness of our ongoing climatological disaster, including Big Beasts and Extrapolations, and existing titles like Earth At Night in Color and Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth. While they all have value, Jane is perhaps the most interesting title, and is available to stream on Apple TV+ beginning April 14.
Jane Brings Dr. Goodall to Kids and Their Families
Jane is named after the acclaimed and beloved ethologist and conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, a UN Messenger of Peace who spent a great deal of time with animals in the wild, especially chimpanzees. Her life was chronicled in the documentary of the same name, Jane, and while that film may not get the same attention as Gorillas in the Mist and the brilliant Koko: A Talking Gorilla, it’s still a phenomenal look at the groundbreaking woman’s life and work.
Related: Apple TV+’s Jane: Plot, Cast, Release Date, and Everything Else We Know
And now we have Jane on Apple TV+, which is a very different affair. The series is a hybrid of fiction and educational documentary, and as such can capture the attention of kids and indifferent adults alike, spreading its important message to people who otherwise may ignore serious documentaries and IPCC reports.
Ava Louise Murchison (“Reacher”) stars as Jane Garcia, a young budding environmentalist whose idol if, of course, Dr. Jane Goodall. She is guided by Dr. Goodall’s mantra (“Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved”) on a mission with her friend David and Greybeard the chimpanzee to protect and save endangered animals.
A Lively and Star-Studded Environmental Call to Action
Apple TV+
Dr. Goodall has blessed the series, stating, “I believe that stories have the power to inspire people to action. I am very hopeful that this series will encourage young people, their families, and friends to help save animals around the world.” It’s easy to see why. The 10-episode show is extremely hopeful and inspiring, and should practically be mandatory viewing for children in elementary and middle school science classes.
Related: The Best Documentaries About Climate Change and Where to Watch Them
Writer J.J. Johnson helmed much of Jane, and brings the same intelligent and educational spirit (with a touch of emotional warmth) to the series that he delivered in Dino Dan, Annedroids, Dino Dana, and Chirp. It’s a vibrant and swiftly edited series that utilizes incredible photography of nature and wildlife to accompany its extremely important messages. An extremely game supporting cast of guest stars and regulars pitch in to help keep things fresh — Tamara Almeida, Dan Abramovic, Sam Marra, Mary-Louise Parker, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Al Rodrigo, Samantha Walkes, and a delightful Graham Greene all appear.
Ultimately, while it may not be the most realistic and urgent call to action (which would admittedly lend itself to an apocalyptic horror series, not a kids show), it is an important one that has the capacity to grab the attention of kids and their families and inspire them to take notice (and action) of a world out of balance. With all due respect, Dr. Goodall’s mantra may need to be adjusted — “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can we be saved.”
Jane is produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and the Jane Goodall Institute, and will stream on Apple TV+ beginning April 14.
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