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I have always been a fan of CNN. Especially since the tragedy of 9/11, I have been an avid viewer of the news channel. During these times when we are facing important crises, it is very important to be aware of what is happening around the world. We are nave to think that we can just worry about what is going on in our own little "microcosm" immediately around us. This was an honest and thorough, no holds barred, report about what should be the most important issue to the survival of mankind now; not years from now.

CNN aired its documentary Planet in Peril, recently in two parts and was hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper, of AC 360 fame, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Animal Planet's biologist, Jeff Corwin. This show took an amazing year to create, and featured reports from all over the globe. From Alaska, to Madagascar, the scenery of its locations was absolutely spectacular. Helicopters flew and filmed over the glaciers, the rain forest in Brazil, and the Carteret Islands, to name a few.

It was the premise of the show to prove that there are affects being seen and felt all over the world today by global warming, deforestation, species loss, and overpopulation.
For example, the effects of global warming can be seen near Greenland, where a scientist recently discovered a new "island" which was originally attached to the landmass by a glacier which is now melted. The planet's temperature has increased by one degree Fahrenheit, according to the National Research Council. This melting of the ice, scientists fear, will lead to rising sea levels, jeopardizing populations living at the earth's coastlines.
In addition, the population of polar bears is suffering because of the amounts of ice that is shrinking in the Northern Hemisphere.

According to Cludio C. Maretti, director for conservation for the World Wildlife Fund, 20 percent of the Amazon Rain Forest has been destroyed by developers, illegal poachers, loggers, and ranchers over the last 40 years. The rain forest, as CNN's reporters clearly demonstrated, is extremely important to the survival of mankind. Not only is it a "microcosm of biodiversity", the trees release oxygen into the air for us to breathe. CNN was not afraid to report the fact also that an American Nun, who had gone to the Amazon to try to protect it, was murdered in cold blood; probably by illegal poachers. They are not afraid of reporting all angles of a story; no matter how controversial.

In addition to the above, species are being almost virtually wiped out by illegal poachers who sell them on the black market, and in open air markets in third world countries like South East Asia, for example. It seems as if people are willing to eat anything, and there is a demand for anything imaginable; with no regard for endangered animals that are important to the world's food chains and biodiversity. CNN, again, was not afraid to actually go into some of these open air markets and confront those illegally selling these animals.

What makes matters even worse, according to CNN, is the world is becoming overpopulated in many areas of the world. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population is estimated to grow to more than 9 billion by the year 2050. Especially in highly populated areas such as China, is creating a great strain on the earth's natural resources. If there are no resources, our species will not be able to survive.

It is amazing how nave the world seems to be, that if the issues that we are facing today concerning the world we live in are not important to many people. I commend CNN for doing this report, and it is my hope that everyone will listen and act. The future of humanity is at stake. The planet is in peril!

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