Blue Planet opens showing how the
Apollo 11 Moon landing gives humanity a first whole and contemplative view of Earth. It then follows the Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE), a 1989 flight using
Space Shuttle Discovery mission
STS-29, intended to understand more about
climate change. The film first observes how living things depend on nature to thrive: for example, the unique anatomy of
Lake Natron formed the lands of the
Serengeti, cradle of a variety of animals. Only
humans evolved and produced a global society, but they still need
oxygen to thrive. Orbiters and spacesuits use a set of mechanisms to
biomimick Earth's life support system. Rain helps plants grow, making rainforests a big source of oxygen. Some places, however, have different climates, and thus different types of nature, some fiercer than others. The film depicts
Hurricane Hugo,
Hurricane Jerry, the 1989
Sakurajima eruption, and the
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake as examples. However despite these onslaughts, humans learn to live in harmony while peace remains. However as humanity evolves,
climate change worsens, making humans themselves a force of nature, one more lethal. Water bodies, oxygen, and rainforests—notably the
Amazon rainforest—have been greatly polluted by human activities like pouring harmful materials, mass-producing cars, and burning.
Light pollution is also concerned. The output of
carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide into the air shrunk the size of the
ozone, vital to protecting Earth from the Sun's
ultraviolet. Because of these damages, the idea of worldwide restriction or ban the act of pollution have been popular. Astronaut
James Buchli highlights the need for this decision through an
existential reflection. The film ends by saying that Earth is the only home for humans and their descendants, urging all countries to unite and make their home a better place.
The Dream is Alive A second feature is included on the Blu-ray release.
The Dream is Alive documentary was also filmed in IMAX, and originally released in 1985. The documentary topics are the
Space Shuttle program and the concept of space exploration in general. ==See also==