National Geographic Channel and Bill Nye Tackle Climate Change with a Little Muscle from Arnold Schwarzenegger

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The science is clear. Our planet is warming. Weather patterns are shifting. Ice caps are melting and sea levels are rising. This affects all of us. And one well-known and outspoken scientist is beside himself with grief.

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Acclaimed educator and "Science Guy" Bill Nye (@BillNye) realizes the reason he is feeling down is because he is in fact suffering from "climate change grief." With a little help from Hollywood action star and environmental advocate former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (@Schwarzenegger), Nye delves into the various manifestations of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance that represent not only the clinical stages of grief, but also the shared emotions that people exhibit in relation to the stark realities of climate change.

In perhaps the most unconventional hour ever devoted to the subject of climate change, National Geographic Channel (@NatGeoChannel) and Nye partner to tackle the subject in a fresh, entertaining and equally thought-provoking way by investigating how the global community is approaching the dilemma of saving both our species and the planet from rising temperatures and extreme weather. Explorer: Bill Nye's Global Meltdown, featuring Schwarzenegger as Nye's climate change therapist, premieres Sunday, Nov. 1, at 8/7c on National Geographic Channel. For more information, visit our press room foxflash.com and follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/NGC_PR).

Along the way, Nye encounters those who claim climate change is a hoax; those who take up arms as environmental activists; those who advocate carbon tax as the solution; those who feel powerless at the prospect of humanity's extinction; and those scientists and engineers who are actively rethinking how we produce, transmit and use energy. Ultimately, Nye looks to emerge from his grief with a plan of action, enthusiasm and hope for the future.

Nye, a New York Times bestselling author, further sheds light on today's climate change crisis in his new book UNSTOPPABLE: Harnessing Science to Change the World on sale November 10, 2015 from St. Martin's Press. In the book, Nye demonstrates why we need to immediately address climate change, offers solutions to the problem, and issues a new challenge to today's generation: to make a cleaner, more efficient, and happier world.

In addition to Explorer, National Geographic is exploring the topic of climate change across several of its platforms, including a dedicated issue of the magazine (November 2015), interactive online content and live events. The coverage makes this complex topic accessible and actionable — helping each of us understand the choice we all have: to remedy climate change or allow it to get worse.

National Geographic Channel, in conjunction with National Geographic magazine (NGM) and National Geographic Studios, re-launched the critically acclaimed documentary series Explorer (natgeotv.com/explorer, #NatGeoExplorer) in August as part of an ongoing multiplatform partnership.

Explorer: Bill Nye's Global Meltdown is produced for National Geographic Channel by National Geographic Studios and Castle Pictures. For National Geographic Studios, executive producers are Brooke Runnette, Brian Lovett, Jeff Hasler and Dave Snyder. For Castle Pictures, executive producer is Chris Cassel. For National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Robert Palumbo; vice president of production is Matt Renner; and president, original programming and production, is Tim Pastore.

National Geographic Channels

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in nearly 90 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit natgeotv.com, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NatGeoTVUS or follow @NatGeoChannel on Twitter and Instagram.

National Geographic Magazine

National Geographic magazine has a long tradition of combining on-the-ground reporting with award-winning photography to inform people about life on our planet. The magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. Published in English and nearly 40 local-language editions, National Geographic magazine has a global circulation of about 6.7 million. It is sent each month to National Geographic members and is available at ngm.com and on print and digital newsstands (smartphones and tablet computers).

National Geographic Studios

National Geographic Studios is the video and film production division of the National Geographic Society, a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. From television series and specials to giant screen, from mobile video to digital news and educational content, National Geographic Studios' productions embody the Society's long-standing reputation for stunning visuals and captivating storytelling. National Geographic Studios has received nearly 150 Emmy awards and almost 1,000 other industry accolades, including recognition from the Peabody Awards and DuPont Columbia Awards, multiple film and museum industry awards, and the highest honors from natural history film festivals. National Geographic Studios also produces and distributes giant screen and digital 3-D films for the museum cinema industry. Brooke Runnette is president of National Geographic Studios.

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