A Photographer’s Time Capsule from the Anthropocene

James Balog

Continuing our exploration into science documentaries, we welcome environmental photographer James Balog to the show. For almost four decades, Balog has been building a visual time capsule documenting the complicated and intimate relationship between humanity and nature. In The Human Element, Balog exposes this relationship with vivid and often uncomfortable imagery illustrating the unmistakable human impact on water, air, fire and earth. Balog joins us to talk about making The Human Element, shares how he delicately balances the portrayal of hope and despair in his visual stories, and discusses his upcoming book with the same name.

Free lesson plans to complement THE HUMAN ELEMENT in your classroom

Clips of the film and accompanying lesson plans for middle and high school students are available to educators free of charge. This dynamic curriculum engages students and teachers in forward-looking dialogue and thoughtful discussions around climate change and its impacts on their communities and daily lives. Through compelling scientific and visual evidence, students will learn how the Anthropocene—the current epoch of systemic human change in the environment—is affecting four foundational elements: earth, air, water, and fire.

The curriculum, a mixture of art and science mirroring the film, can be used in either humanities or science classes. All lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).