Tokyo is one of the most technologically advanced cities on the planet, but Japan's low birth rate and the diversifying interests of its young people are causing Tokyo to rely increasingly on skilled immigrant labor. This program examines the implications of that change, gathering insightful commentary from a wide range of Japanese society about multiculturalism, racism, and interracial marriage. While the program cites one statistic saying 80 percent...

The fantasies of dictators, kings, sultans, and warriors are laid bare in this program as Dan Cruikshank explores architecture as a statement of worldly power. Dan visits Nicolae Ceau?escu's palace in Romania, a colossal edifice built by the 20th century's last communist dictator; Marqab Castle in Syria, constructed by the Crusaders to control the area between Asia Minor and the Holy Land; an imposing plantation house in New Orleans that stands in...

Water and sanitation are among the biggest challenges facing developing countries. Yet they continue to be low on the political agenda. In a bid to raise the profile of this human crisis, former Neighbors star Mark Little and a group of musicians set off to Mozambique to discover how communities are tackling the issue of human waste. Ecosan toilets that turn human waste into compost and pumps that provide water for remote villages are giving the people...

Using archival footage, beautifully crafted contemporary animation, and interviews with astute cultural observers based outside the U.S., this program examines the implications of our love affair with the car. Viewers learn how, in just over a century, Henry Ford's innovations completely transformed human life, so much so that in some areas of the world cars seem more important than human beings. In the West, for example, an estimated sixty-two percent...

In 1980, three frustrated mothers made American history by taking federal officials hostage in the community built on the site of New York's toxic Love Canal. In this riveting expose, the three activists-Lois Gibbs, Barbara Quimby, and Patti Grenzy-and research scientist Dr. Beverly Paigen, who staunchly stood by the residents, discuss their volatile four-year political battle to have the entire community evacuated. Archival footage of President Jimmy...

Not so long ago, countries like Mexico, India, and China counted malnutrition as a major health concern. Today, hundreds of millions of people in these countries are coping with obesity and its associated diseases, growing fatter, and at a faster rate, than Americans. This program explores the shocking explosion of global obesity and examines its links to increasing wealth and changing diets. The video travels to Mexico, where two-thirds of the population...

This program examines how urbanization, industrialization, and overreaching agriculture are depleting the Earth of its natural resources. Citing environmental changes in Morocco, Ghana, Ukraine, Mexico, and Vietnam, the program studies the impact of population growth and profiles organizations that respond to ecological crises stemming from such growth. With a focus on educational outreach efforts, particularly those for women and children, and the...

With 10,000 children born per hour, 80 million per year, the human population of the Earth surpassed the 6 billion mark in 1999. As resources of every kind get spread thinner and thinner, how will the impoverished peoples of Africa, Asia, and Latin America survive? And how much longer will it be before their urgent plight devastates Western society? This program thoroughly addresses the grim realities of life in third-world nations while providing...

Building on critical and audience acclaim for his film Nobelity, Turk Pipkin is continuing his global journey of knowledge and action with the feature film One Peace at a Time. While Nobelity deals with global problems, One Peace at a Time focuses on specific solutions. The goal is to create a virtual roadmap to a better future. One Peace at a Time is an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and foundations to reach out and change the world....

To explore America's past in a meaningful way, a growing number of educators strive for spirited debate and passionate discussion in their classrooms. The key is get students talking about historical events with the same energy and immediacy that today's topics provoke. But accomplishing that is virtually impossible without the right catalyst. This collection of 25 concise video clips is designed to spark thoughtful, productive dialogue on major turning...