There's a special place in the heart of the Amazon rainforest with ecosystems so unique and biodiversity so rich the UN have declared it a World Heritage Site. But the threats of climate change are looming. If nobody takes action this pristine wilderness could wither in decades and the effects would be devastating, not only here but across the planet. Now a team of four courageous people have devoted their lives to the protection of this corner of rainforest. Braving an unforgiving jungle and extreme weather, they give us 360 access into the challenges, the setbacks and the successes of their everyday work.
Could the Taj Mahal, one of the World's Seven Wonders, be in imminent danger? It is one of the grandest works of architecture on the planet. But these days, it has plenty of critics. They insist that this monument to undying love is at risk of collapsing into the river that runs beside it. The conservators who know it best dispute the claims. We follow the controversy as two scientific groups examine the Taj's stability. The 360-year-old monument is under serious pressure from the effects of climate change, pollution and mass tourism. After the Mumbai attacks, security is also a serious concern. But could the Taj collapse?
A threat looms over Kyoto, Japan's cultural center and a city with one of the most World Heritage sites in the world. Rapid modernization has decimated its traditional cityscape and threatens age-old cultural practices. Now, a team of warriors from various walks of life battle to preserve Kyoto's essence in the face of inevitable change. Gain 360° access to the world behind the monuments, where the traditional and modern come head to head and less-than-orthodox methods are being tested in the effort to safeguard Kyoto's traditional identity.
Once she provided hope to millions of immigrants, now the Statue of Liberty is closed to the public, on security lock-down since 9/11. A team of caretakers and construction crew has just 5 months to make this World Heritage Site safe before her doors are reopened. A gift to the United States from France and now a World Heritage Site, the Statue of Liberty is an international emblem of freedom and liberty. But over the past decade she’s been off-limits, considered unsafe in a post-9/11 world. U-S Park Service and construction crews are now laboring to re-open this iconic statue. They are renovating her interior so people can get out quickly if there’s an attack. But with the clock ticking to opening day, it’s a massive undertaking. Learning from the World Trade Center attacks, they are working to guarantee the safety of visitors and to ensure that one of America’s greatest symbols continues to stand tall over New York harbor.
A passionate team of Tanzanians brave savannah, mountain and skies in a mission to uncover the mystery behind the demise of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Follow the Director of Museums of Cappadocia as he battles both man-made and natural erosion to protect the geological wonderland in Central Turkey.
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. After being abandoned for nearly 1,000 years, this ancient Indonesian structure from around the eighth century now attracts more than 2 million visitors a year. We'll meet the restoration and maintenance teams trying to repair this World Heritage site before tourism, natural elements or a nearby volcano destroy it completely.
Behind the facade of the Palace of Versailles, discover how experts and curators continue to keep the building, built for French royalty, fit for a king.
A team of conservationists reveals its efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef, as the home to one of the largest ranges of marine life on Earth faces mounting threats.
Over the course of a year, Access 360° World Heritage took us across the globe, filming in some of the most stunning and fragile places on the planet. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Statue of Liberty, from Cappadocia to the Amazon, we encountered a range of amazing stories and characters at each location. Now in this Best Of episode, we highlight the threats facing these sites and the ingenuity and commitment shown to resolve them.
A group of dedicated conservationists set out to save the huge sandstone temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The religious monument is visited by a large number of tourists every year, but as the infrastructure of the country begins to change it is putting the ruins under threat. The team are also joined by a group of researchers who hope to unearth new clues on the site.The magnificent temples of Angkor were mysteriously abandoned for hundreds of years. Now, the largest religious monument on earth is at risk of being lost again. It will take a team effort to restore this legendary world heritage site to its former glory. Researchers are discovering new clues about what went wrong in the past, while locals are fighting to save their heritage for the future.
It’s the longest running construction project in the world, yet after 130 years in the making La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain is still not finished.
Meet the unseen heroes working behind-the scenes to ensure Japan’s My Fuji survives for future generations to enjoy
It’s a sanctuary filled with ancient trees and prehistoric predators. But the Everglades National Park is under siege. An invasion of exotic species is threatening to wipe out the local wildlife.
A dark history has left some of Russia's greatest palaces, cathedrals and museums on the brink. Now, a select few must safeguard these cherished relics of the past.
The city of Venice attracts millions of tourist each year with its rich historic and artistic heritage. Behind the beautiful and vibrant facade, lies a city in grave danger. The Adriatic Sea that brought fortune and glory to the city is also a threat to Venice and its lagoon. When the sirens go off, Venetians brace themselves for an incoming attack. The tide rises, floodwater rushes into the city and destroys every artwork or architecture in its path. Expert teams of Engineers, Scientists and Conservators are determined to save this UNESCO World Heritage site from vanishing beneath the waves.
The ancient castles and cathedrals of Prague draw millions of tourists every year… and beneath the city is a hidden underworld that traces the story of this UNESCO World Heritage site through the ages. But time and the forces of nature are threatening to destroy what has survived for over a thousand years. Now, teams of explorers, engineers and master craftsmen must go inside Prague's secret spaces to safeguard its cherished heritage.
The famed Galapagos Islands teem with fantastic wildlife found nowhere else on earth. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the living laboratory that inspired Darwin’s theory of natural selection. The animals that could survive the long journey and harsh climate thrived in an isolated sanctuary. But that isolation left them vulnerable to the threats of the outside world. The arrival of humans changed the balance, threatening their survival. Now - on land and on the sea - the islands’ guardians are using latest technology to reveal the hidden patterns of these endangered creatures, and gain the critical insights needed to save them.
