Arctic from Above

In this programme, Liz Bonnin examines the damage caused by plastic pollution to seabirds, before encountering a bison in the remote wild. She also explores how climate change is altering the lives of bears and beavers in North American habitats.

The programme follows presenter Liz Bonnin as she investigates the ways in which human activity is reshaping wildlife habitats. It is structured as a single episode that combines on‑the‑ground reporting with observations of several animal species across different environments. In the first part of the episode, Bonnin examines the impact of plastic debris on seabirds, highlighting how litter that ends up in the ocean is ingested or becomes entanglement hazards for these birds. She then moves inland, where she comes across a bison, using the encounter to illustrate the broader consequences of environmental change. The segment on the bison serves as a transition to a deeper look at how climate change is influencing other mammals. Bonnin explains that rising temperatures and shifting ecosystems are altering the living conditions for bears, affecting their food sources and hibernation patterns. Finally, the programme turns its attention to beavers, detailing how altered water levels and habitat loss driven by a warming climate are challenging their ability to build dams and maintain their colonies. Through these varied case studies, the episode paints a picture of interconnected ecological pressures, all observed through Bonnin’s on‑site reporting.