Award-Winning, Locally-Produced Environmental Series Enlists Award-winning Journalist, Science Communicator, Television Personality, Author and Podcaster Dr. Cara Santa Maria as Narrator for Sixth Season
By Judy Shields
Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the free PBS App. Members of PBS SoCal get extended access through PBS Passport.
PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization, announced last month the return of a new season of the award-winning, locally-produced environmental series EARTH FOCUS. The sixth season of the acclaimed series explores ecological solutions to protect Southern California’s natural resources and will be narrated by Los Angeles Area Emmy® and Knight Foundation Award-winning journalist, science communicator, television personality, author and podcaster Dr. Cara Santa Maria. Four, all-new 30-minute episodes examine “fast fashion,” how green canopies can combat rising temperatures, the unique symbiotic communities of San Clemente Island and the rewiring of a statewide aging energy infrastructure. EARTH FOCUS premieres on Wed., June 25 at 7:30 p.m. PT on PBS SoCal and encores on Sun., June 29 at 8:30 p.m. PT on PBS SoCal Plus. All new episodes will be available to stream at pbssocal.org/earthfocus as well as on the free PBS App, and will roll out weekly on PBS SoCal’s YouTube.
New episodes of EARTH FOCUS are slated to air as follows (*schedule subject to change):
EARTH FOCUS: “Rewiring California: Outages & Innovation” – Wed., June 25 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., June 29 at 8:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
The Los Angeles wildfires brought renewed attention to California’s aging energy infrastructure. Utility companies are tackling this issue by burying power lines underground or temporarily disconnecting vulnerable lines. Discover how different communities impacted by fires and power loss are developing innovative solutions for the future.
EARTH FOCUS: “The Cost of Fast Fashion” – Wed., July 2 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., July 6 at 8:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
“Fast fashion” is a phenomenon where clothing can be purchased and delivered almost instantaneously through an unsustainable cycle that has huge impacts on climate and the environment. Meet researchers, rehabilitation enterprises and artists as they reimagine a sustainable cycle of fashion by coming up with new ways to reuse textiles and other artistic and creative solutions.
EARTH FOCUS: “San Clemente Island: Protecting Land & Sea” – Wed., July 9 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., July 13 at 8:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
Endangered species and critical naval activities are two rarities unique to Southern California’s San Clemente Island. Military and conservation missions have come together to operate in harmony to protect the island’s natural habitat. Watch the Navy’s diving team volunteers remaining yards of cable to bird cages while Navy SEAL training officers rescue injured birds for the wildlife team.
EARTH FOCUS: “Combatting Climate Change with Trees” – Wed., July 16 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., July 20 at 8:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
As climate change intensifies, rising temperatures pose growing challenges, with city environments amplifying heat through pavement and concrete. In Los Angeles, some streets are suffering more than others due to uneven heat distribution. This episode explores the causes behind heat disparities and community efforts to green and cool vulnerable areas.
The Hollywood Times had the opportunity to talk with Dan Birman, producer for season 6 and the upcoming season 7 about the four episodes he was involved with for Season 6. Please view this video and listen to what Dan has to say about the four episodes on Earth Focus starting next Wednesday, June 25.
These four episodes are those that we all should watch with our family and tell our friends about, because will you be surprised what you find out and how all of us can make a difference for mother earth and our grandkids and their children. Excellent programming once again being offered by PBS and while you are at it, don’t forget to donate to PBS so we can all have wonderful and life-learning lessons brought our way. Click HERE to find out about how to donate. Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times
Cara Santa Maria, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, as well as a Los Angeles Area Emmy® and Knight Foundation Award-winning journalist, science communicator, television presenter, author and podcaster. Cara can be seen on PBS SoCal’s Earth Focus, SoCal Connected and SoCal Update. She podcasts weekly on The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe and Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria. Additional television credits include National Geographic’s Brain Games and Explorer, Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World, Al Jazeera America’s TechKnow, Fusion’s Real Future, among others.
For more information, follow us on social at @pbssocal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EARTH FOCUS is supported by generous institutional funders and partners.
About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal programming is available to viewers on all key streaming platforms via the free PBS App and PBS KIDS App as well as over-the-air, via seven channels — including 2 primary broadcast channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal reaches nearly 19M viewers in the region with programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free.
About Danial H. Birman
Dan Birman is the founder of Birman Productions, and is the creative lead. As an award-winning director, producer, writer, and cinematographer, he has an extensive body of work in documentary and nonfiction television.
Birman is perhaps best known for turning difficult concepts into high-quality entertainment. Having grown up with a scientist, he had a keen interest in making complex subjects accessible to everyone. After film school, he spent years bringing work of some of the world’s leading physicians, physicists, planetary scientists, engineers, and others to television. Later in his career, he expanded this work to include economics, aviation, social issues, and history.
He recently completed a feature documentary follow-up to his 2011 acclaimed documentary, Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story, which looks at juvenile sentencing issues in America through one Tennessee girl’s story. Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Birman is a Professor of Professional Practice at his alma mater, the University of Southern California. He is also an active member of the Television Academy, and formerly on the Board of Governors representing the documentary programming peer group. He currently serves on the DEIA Task Force.
Birman was a 2023 Silver Circle Inductee at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his lifelong dedication to the documentary profession and his immense contributions to television.
