An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet — Season 1
About this season
Follow Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s search for the people, ideas, traditions, and attitudes – the solutions – which will transform fear of the future into hope, climate angst into optimism and human disconnection into engagement. In each of the six episodes, Nikolaj and his affable team criss-cross the globe exploring humanity, witnessing its power for good and learning about some of the remarkable solutions (both old and new) that inspire his optimism for the future.
Episodes (11)
1. Dusk or Dawn
Aired 8 February 2024 • 48 min
In this episode, Nikolaj discovers the difference is hope, a hope he finds in inspiring people, projects and ideas all over the world.
2. Shelter
Aired 15 February 2024 • 48 min
Shelter is one of the most essential human needs. Nikolaj finds hope from architects re-imagining how we live for a sustainable future.
3. Regenerate
Aired 22 February 2024 • 48 min
Nature has an amazing power to regenerate. How can we harness its innate ability to heal to solve the problems we face?
4. Nourish
Aired 29 February 2024 • 48 min
Nikolaj’s journey in this episode focuses on ways to rethink how we grow and cook the food that sustains us.
5. Move
Aired 7 March 2024 • 48 min
Nikolaj meets some engineers, mechanics and entrepreneurs who may have solutions on how to move without hitting an environmental dead end.
6. Transform
Aired 14 March 2024 • 48 min
Nikolaj’s journey toward hope continues as he searches for innovators transforming and revitalizing our world.
7. Can We Still Be Optimistic in 2025?
Aired 22 October 2025
8. Why Trash Isn't Useless
Aired 29 October 2025
9. Inventions That Could Help Heal the Planet
Aired 5 November 2025
10. The Real Cost of Our Energy Demand
Aired 6 November 2025
11. Reclaim
Aired 19 November 2025