Polar Extremes

Paleontologist Kirk Johnson explores the dynamic history—and future—of ice at the poles.

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Polar Extremes NOVA

Premiered February 05, 2020

Polar Extremes

Following a trail of fossils found in all the wrong places–beech trees in Antarctica, redwoods and hippo-like mammals in the Arctic–NOVA uncovers the bizarre history of the poles, from miles-thick ice sheets to warm polar forests teeming with life.

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Episode Extras

Lake mud from the Russian Arctic tells us that Earth's climate has oscillated in the past.

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How Climate Has Shifted Over Millions of Years

Learn more about a lush forest that once dominated the Arctic.

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Plant Fossils Hint at Arctic's Swampy Past

Paleontologist Kirk Johnson explores the dynamic history—and future—of ice at the poles.

Watch (03:19)

Preview

Polar Extremes Preview

Together, all the cars on Earth would leave quite the pile of carbon behind—every day.

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What if Carbon Left Your Tailpipe as Solid Chunks?

What if carbon dioxide pollution were solid carbon chunks?

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A Bird's-Eye View of Carbon Emissions

Drop yourself into a modern-day swamp, and that's what the ancient Arctic looked like.

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Clip

Fifty Million Years Ago, the Arctic Was a Warm Swamp

Carbon dioxide acts like a heat-trapping blanket, warming our planet.

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Clip

How Carbon Dioxide Warms Planet Earth

Learn more about our planet’s Hothouse and Icehouse climates.

Watch (03:25)

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How Earth’s Climate Changed Over the Past 500 Million Years

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How Humans Could Make Icehouse Earth into a Hothouse

See how one small town’s survival is threatened by climate change.

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Clip

This Alaska Community is Losing Sea Ice to Climate Change

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Clip

This Canadian Cave Has Been Frozen Since the Last Ice Age

Scientists dig up ancient clams from the ocean 90 miles from the nearest beach.

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Clip

What did the East Coast Look Like 3 Million Years Ago?

Warming ocean water is eating away at Greenland's glaciers from below.

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Clip

What’s Causing Greenland’s Biggest Glacier to Melt?

Trees have an environmental record etched into their very wood.

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Clip

Why Trees Are Living Climate Records

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About the Program

NOVA

NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions of today and tomorrow, from how our ancestors lived, to whether parallel universes exist, to how technology will transform our lives. Visit the official website to watch full-length documentaries, or explore our world through short-form video, on our digital publication NOVA Next.