IT TOOK OVER FOUR YEARS TO make Frozen Planet II. Executive producer Mark Brownlow shares his highlights of filming on all seven continents and across 18 countries to create a series that tells an urgent story about the effects of climate change on our world.
Frozen Planet (2011) looked at the passing of the seasons at the two poles. How does Frozen Planet II build on what came before?
I was a huge fan of the original series, but a decade has passed since it aired and we now have a far greater understanding of our frozen habitats. A decade ago we were still debating whether climate change was caused by humans or not!
This series tells the bigger story of all of our frozen worlds – which, incredibly, cover one-fifth of our planet – at a time when they’re changing faster than ever before. So, we go to the Arctic and Antarctic, but we also climb the world’s highest peaks, dive into icy lakes and enter snowbound deserts.
We celebrate the wondrous life in these fragile ice worlds, but also land the message that they are changing rapidly on our watch, with potentially profound consequences for all of humanity. We focus on a singular narrative around climate change. It’s the story of our time.
What cast of animal stars can we look forward to?
A greater diversity of locations and habitats means a very broad palate of characters. We still feature the classic ice species, such as killer whales, narwhals and polar bears, but alongside them we also include snow monkeys, pandas, Siberian tigers, Pallas’s cats and Amur leopards.
This story is from the October 2022 edition of BBC Wildlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2022 edition of BBC Wildlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE Giant panda
Cuddly-looking with highly distinctive black-and-white fur and dark ‘spectacles’, the giant panda – often referred to simply as the panda – is an undeniably popular and much-loved bear, both the national animal of China and, of course, the iconic logo of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
CRUISE CONTROL
As more people are drawn to experience the frozen frontiers, can tourism to the seventh continent be a good thing for nature?
COWS COME HOME
Tauros are the closest thing to the extinct aurochs. And they are coming to the UK.
BIG LITTLE JOURNEYS
A closer look at the smallbut-mighty animals that must travel vast distances to survive
MOUNTAIN MISSION
Canada lynx and wolverines are secretive creatures, but dedicated scientists in Montana are tracking them to inform conservation
LET'S GET TOGETHER - ROOSTING PIED WAGTAILS
Remember to look up this Christmas to enjoy gangs of pied wags' gathered in the trees
FEMALE OF THE SPECIES - REINDEER
Lucy Cooke explains why the females of this Christmas icon have antlers too
Ancient woodland still at risk from HS2
Scrapping the northern phase has spared some sites, but woodlands and reserves remain under threat
Ocean superheroes
Release of 10.000 oysters in North East England promises to improve water quality and marine life
MEET THE VOLUNTEER - Keith Dobell
The retiree cares for a park, an old railway track and a wood in his home county of Northamptonshire