Weathered: Earth's Extremes

Maiya May embarks on a journey across the United States to explore climate tipping points, a term coined by climate scientist Tim Lenton almost 20 years ago. Discover how critical our climate systems like coral reefs and permafrost are for our planet's stability and learn about the science behind these changes and what can be done to protect our planet's future.

Maiya May visits the Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana, one of the first communities in the U.S. to undergo a federally funded relocation due to climate change. She talks to resident, Chris Brunet, about his decision to move away from the island where his family has lived for generations. Maiya also learns about hurricanes from the people who fly through them: the Hurricane Hunters.

Maiya May explores heat, in an unlikely place: Portland, Oregon. In order to understand why some urban settings are hotter than others, she travels to Medellín, Colombia, a city that is leading the revolution against sweltering city temperatures. Then she visits the hottest city in the US, Phoenix, Arizona, to see how we can turn the temperature down even in the most extreme environments.

Maiya May learns about the severe impacts of droughts and floods on agriculture and the alarming depletion of groundwater reserves. Despite these challenges, Maiya finds hope in innovative agricultural practices, how precision farming techniques can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve water and how states are coming to better understand the water that lies beneath our feet.

Maiya May's exploration of positive climate tipping points takes her from Wyoming to Michigan and back to her roots in Atlanta. In Cheyenne, she visits a supercomputer to see how scientists predict and analyze climate systems. In Michigan, she observes the explosive end of a coal plant. Returning to Atlanta, Maiya and Dr. Marshall Shepard discuss climate challenges and vulnerabilities in the U.S.

Maiya May returns to Florida to learn how climate change is impacting ocean currents. Inspired by positive tipping points, Maiya heads back to Georgia to meet Stacey Abrahms and learn how an ambitious non-profit hopes to electrify everything. She then travels to take her first flight lesson. And finally, she returns to Florida to learn about nature.