Everywhere you turn there is confusion about the current state of our planet; rainforest destruction with talk of rainforest destruction, global warming, extinction of species, rising sea-levels, drought and meteoric collisions. To coincide with the new millennium, David Attenborough brings his matter-of-fact clarity to the subject, investigating the latest scientific research to explain the situation in simple terms for the first time. Over the course of three programmes, David works with experts to ask whether nature really is in a crisis of species extinction, to examine why has this come about and finally to understand what options for the future remain open to us. His quest takes him on a truly global trail, from Kenya to Ecuador, from the Philippines and the Maldives to Easter Island, and from South Africa to California - visiting habitats of threatened species and exploring ways in which life can be sustained for the future.