Pearls of the Planet: Brown Bears

explore.org is a philanthropic media organization and a multi-media division of the Annenberg Foundation. Created by filmmaker and philanthropist Charles Annenberg Weingarten to champion the selfless acts of others, inspire lifelong learning and help people fall in love with the world again, explore.org is home to more than 300 original films and a massive library of world-class photography from all over the globe.

In this special episode from explore.org, "The Challenge of Change," join Charles Annenberg Weingarten and the explore.org team on their journey around the world to discover the selfless acts of others. Witness the challenge of change in its various forms from the Middle East to the U.S. and the Arctic.

Craig Sholley of the African Wildlife Foundation describes his organization's efforts to preserve the 720 gorillas that remain in Rwanda. Learn about the species that is 98.6 percent similar to human beings in one of the most popular episodes of "Explore."

Meet John Singh, Rajisthani Maverick, who is single handedly trying to save traditional Indian music from going extinct.

explore.org is a philanthropic media organization and a multi-media division of the Annenberg Foundation. Created by filmmaker and philanthropist Charles Annenberg Weingarten to champion the selfless acts of others, inspire lifelong learning and help people fall in love with the world again, explore.org is home to more than 300 original films and a massive library of world-class photography from all over the globe.

Travel down the Colorado River to experience the Grand Canyon's wild splendor, and explore the connections between man and nature. With beautiful photography and deep conversations among Native American leaders, the film is a portal into the soul of the world’s largest living cathedral. "Explore" host Charlie Annenberg Weingarten was joined by Oglala Lakota activist Russell Means, Ojibwe environmentalist Winona LaDuke, Lilian Hill of the Hopi tribe, and others in rafts and canoes. Native Hawaiian Archie Kalepa navigated down most of the river gorge on a standup surfboard.

In this episode of "Explore," Charlie and his team are on a fact-finding mission to learn about the obstacles and opportunities faced by those with disabilities. Meet the former mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan, who survived a near fatal ski accident at the age of 19 leaving him almost completely paralyzed from the shoulders down. Overcoming his physical impairments, Sullivan has dedicated his life to working with the disabled and people struggling with addiction.

"Explore" takes you to the Northern reaches of the planet, through live high definition webcams and expeditions deep into the Arctic. On the shores of Hudson Bay, polar bears wait for the ice to harden so they can move out miles from shore to hunt for the seals that feed them over the winter.  Beluga whales gather in large pods, while the Aurora Borealis swirls overhead. Without narration or music, Explore’s “Pearls of the Planet” presents the natural sights and sounds of the Arctic in a way never before presented on broadcast television.

On a philanthropic, fact finding mission to the Arctic, Charles Annenberg Weingarten and the explore.org team dive into the unique culture of the Inuit people of Greenland and learn about their traditional cuisine, which includes raw seal meat, whale, caribou, walrus, and fish. Charles also visits the Qimaavik Women's Shelter for abused women and children, and learns about the high crime rate of Nunavut territory being tackled by extraordinary individuals in the area.

The American Southwest is a complex region where cultures transcend political borders. Join Charlie and the Explore team as they meet people pursuing a life in the United States while struggling to maintain their cultural heritage and longstanding traditions.