Earth Day
Every day is Earth Day on WHYY TV12
Compiled by Anna Christopher
Each month, WHYY TV12 alerts viewers to important environmental and health-related issues with award-winning programs like Nature and NOVA, and April's program lineup is no exception. From a documentary profiling a near nuclear disaster to a delicious vegetarian meal from chef Dede Wilson to an educational story about the dangers of indoor pollutants, WHYY hopes to encourage its viewers to become more conscious of "green issues" affecting the world around them. Earth Day is Tuesday, April 20, but these programs prove that people can easily take steps to improve their living and working environments every day!
American Experience "Meltdown at Three Mile Island"
In the early spring of 1979, residents of eastern Pennsylvania were stricken with panic when a technical malfunction at the Three Mile Island power plant led to the worst nuclear accident in United States history. President Jimmy Carter's arrival on the scene five days after the pressure valve failure signaled an end to the crisis, but it did not necessarily stop people's fears about the amount of radiation released, and the long-term consequences of the meltdown. American Experience carefully re-examines this disaster during "Meltdown at Three Mile Island," providing a step-by-step account of what went wrong in the early morning hours of March 28, 1979, and what could have been done to prevent the entire fiasco from happening.
Monday, April 5, 9 p.m.
Applause Online Extra: Then-Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh, writer Mike Gray, and Middletown, Pa., resident Robin Stuart share their perspectives on the Three Mile Island meltdown.
Nature "Flight School"
This new episode from television's longest-running natural history series tells the astonishing story of how an experimental artificial breeding and training program, in which surrogate human "parents" teach young birds how to fly and migrate, is helping coax North America's endangered whooping cranes back from near extinction. "Flight School" begins in Wisconsin where devoted scientists disguise themselves as adult cranes in order to prepare young birds for the ultimate journey -- a 1,250-mile flight from their northern farm to Florida. When the birds are ready, they are led on their maiden migratory flights by airborne scientist piloting tiny "micorlite" aircrafts.
Sunday, April 11, 8 p.m.
Applause Online Extra: View a short preview of "Flight School." A Web companion will be available from this link beginning April 9.
Seasonings with Dede Wilson "Earth Day"
After doing your part for Mother Nature by collecting debris from your neighborhood or planting flowers and trees, continue to recognize Earth Day by preparing an all-natural meal with the help of culinary queen Dede Wilson. On the menu: farmer's market salad plate with caper dressing; polenta lasagna with mushroom bechamel; and a decedent chocolate orange dream mousse for desert. Wilson also invites cookbook author Crescent Dragonwagon to the kitchen to discuss her latest collection of heart-healthy recipes, The Passionate Vegetarian.
Saturday, April 17, 2:30 p.m.
Applause Online Extra: For a healthy alternative to your grandmother's meat lasagna, try this recipe for Polenta Lasagna with Mushroom Bechamel featured during the show! Recipe courtesy of Crescent Dragonwagon.
Nature: "Land of the Falling Lakes"
Join Nature on a journey through the exotic forest of Devil's Garden located in the oldest national park in Europe: the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Dinaric Mountains of Croatia. Home to an array of strange wildlife, including the baby dragon, edible dormouse, diced snake and tiny Martino vole, Devil's Garden was almost destroyed during the last Balkan war, but is slowly recovering thanks to an unusual form of limestone that rapidly rejuvenates the terrain with new pools, water slides and cascades.
Sunday, April 18, 8 p.m.
Applause Online Extra: Watch a short clip of "Land of the Falling Lakes." A web companion will be available from this link beginning April 16.
Power Shift: Energy and Sustainability
Actress Cameron Diaz (pictured with a fuel-efficient hybrid car) is the host and narrator during this magazine-style documentary that explores the relationship between energy and sustainability. In four informative segments, this program discusses issues concerning renewable energy and climate change; profiles architect William McDonough and his innovative green building designs; and answers basic questions about energy and power sources. The final segment, "Be the Difference," shows viewers steps they can take to create a sustainable future.
Monday, April 19 at 12:30 a.m.
NOVA: "World in the Balance"
It took all of history until 1804 for human population to reach its first billion, but now the world's population is growing at a rate of one billion people every 12 years. The NOVA Earth Day special "World in the Balance" provides a snapshot of today's global family -- from the aging demographic in the Unites States and Japan, to India's staggering infant mortality rate, to the AIDS epidemic that is ravaging Africa -- and examines what various population trends mean for the future of the planet.
Tuesday, April 20, 8 p.m.
Applause Online Extra: Test your knowledge of current population trends and see if your predictions for the future makeup of the global population are accurate with this "World in the Balance" interactive quiz.
Enviromysteries: Breaking the Mold
Set your VCR to record this educational and environmentally conscious program designed to inform middle and high school students about the dangers of indoor pollutants. This fictional tale stars real-life National Public Radio librarian Kee Malesky as a teen who is selected for a reality show, but then falls ill from toxic mold. Vintage-style, mini-documentaries are peppered throughout the program, and NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon narrates.
Monday, April 26 at 12:30 a.m.
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