Airdate: Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Oceans

National Geographic celebrates Earth Day on Thursday April 22, a selection of documentaries including the premiere of Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Oceans and a screening of Secrets of the Whales (premiering same day as Disney+).

Legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle and a cast of pioneering marine scientists tell the story of the incredible work being undertaken across the planet to protect the fragile ecosystem of our oceans.

It is a showcase of the wonder of the sea, of the living laboratory we all live in and of the vital science being carried out beneath the waves every single day.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Antarctica, and the world’s other unique ecosystems are highlighted in the gripping and visually stunning documentary.

National Geographic’s Earth Day lineup begins at 11.30am AEST with Jane Goodall: The Hope.

Continuing the optimism of Earth Day is the two-hour documentary.

The sweeping film highlights Dr. Goodall’s vast legacy of four decades, having transformed environmentalism, nonhuman animal welfare and conservation through her innovative approaches, and becoming a worldwide icon.

This special depicts the formation of the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI’s) “Tacare” community-centered conservation approach and Roots & Shoots youth-empowerment program; her remarkable advocacy and leadership on behalf of chimpanzees and humanity; and the next chapter for generations to come. This singular story is of one remarkable woman who not only hoped for a better world — she achieved it!

At 1.30pm AEST, National Geographic brings the return of the hit two-part feature, Save This Shark.

Save This Shark is a two-part documentary that follows three time World Champion Surfer turned ocean activist Mick Fanning on his mission to explore shark conservation.

From his hometown of Ballina to the tropics of the Bahamas, Fanning returns to the open waters to conquer his fear of sharks and better understand them.

Along the way, Fanning investigates the issue of sharks versus people, debunking common misconceptions and, learning about the latest technology helping humans and sharks safely co-exist while saving them from extinction.

The documentary also features the work of leading experts including Dr. Charlie Huveneers, Professor Colin Simpfendorfer, Dr. Neil Hammerschlag and renowned shark conservationist Cristina Zenato.

Then at 3.30pm AEST, viewers can witness the spectacular four-part series Secrets of the Whales.

Secrets of the Whales plunges viewers deep within the epicentre of whale culture to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species: orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals and sperm whales. Filmed over three years in 24 locations, throughout this epic journey, we learn that whales are far more complex and more like us than ever imagined.

Earth Day on National Geographic – Thursday April 22
11.30am AEST– Jane Goodall: The Hope
1.30pm AEST– Save this Shark: EP1
2.30pm AEST– Save this Shark: EP2
3.30pm AEST– Secrets of the Whales – EP1
4.30pm AEST– Secrets of the Whales – EP2
5.30pm AEST– Secrets of the Whales – EP3
6.30pm AEST– Secrets of the Whales – EP4
7.30pm AEST– Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Oceans (Premiere)

*All times listed are AEST