| There is debate over the validity of global warming | | | | miracles captured on film in the "Planet Earth" series |
| and its effects, though anyone who has watched | | | | unfold in high definition before their eyes. Instead of |
| more than 10 minutes of the "Planet Earth" series or | | | | sitting around and watching dad enjoy his football |
| Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" would concede | | | | lineup from NFL Sunday Ticket, families can familiarize |
| that something is going on with the environment. On | | | | themselves with the former mysteries of the natural |
| the list of hot political topics to discuss, the | | | | world. Establishing an interest and understanding of |
| environment has not always held the prominent | | | | nature brings the problems faced by the environment |
| position it now does. The general public and its | | | | to a more personal level, removing them from the |
| officials did not concern themselves too much with | | | | category of being an issue for someone else to deal |
| the state of our environment and the potential | | | | with. Concern for the environment has been |
| effects that could result. The cause behind this new | | | | transformed into a topic for today, not the distant |
| concern for Mother Nature's well being may stem | | | | future. |
| from the massive amount of publicity global warming | | | | Satellite television brings educational programs into |
| and the declining state of the environment has | | | | the homes of millions, allowing their eyes to be |
| received. Perhaps a separation existed before | | | | opened up to the potential repercussions of a |
| between people and nature, aside from the | | | | neglected environment. With immense exposure, the |
| occasional camping trip many people remain within the | | | | environmental issue is not limited to nature channels |
| comfort of their home and neighborhood. Through | | | | but makes its presence known on everything from |
| the media nature has been brought right into the | | | | news broadcasts to allusions in popular sitcoms. The |
| homes of a good many people, forcing them to | | | | growth in popularity and awareness of environmental |
| address issues that had remained out of sight and | | | | concerns speaks to the power of the media and the |
| out of mind before. Satellite television allows | | | | educational potential of television. While people may |
| individuals to explore nature without even having to | | | | not have the opportunity to go out into nature on |
| step out the front door. | | | | their own and experience the environment around |
| Channels such as Animal Planet and the Discovery | | | | them, these programs allow them to be reminded |
| Channel discuss the many wonders and mysteries of | | | | that the well being of nature is not only in the |
| the natural world, bringing people to places they | | | | interest of tree hugging naturalists but something |
| would normally never reach on their own. Unique wild | | | | that will impact everyone and should therefore be an |
| life and eco systems are examined and explained, | | | | area of concern for all. Information and learning adopt |
| turning an average individual into an amateur botanist | | | | many forms and television serves as a very |
| or zoologist right there in the family room. Families | | | | effective medium for the transmission of this |
| can learn and bond together as they watch the | | | | knowledge. |