Technology is changing our perspective on nature – at every scale

Ariel Waldman traveled alone to Antarctica’s dry valleys to film *Life Unearthed*, a six-episode docuseries now on PBS and YouTube. Using microscopes, drones, and specialized lenses, she captured microscopic organisms—such as tardigrades (water bears), nematodes, and rotifers—living in the harsh, barren landscapes, where most biomass hides beneath the soil. The series documents how climate change is rapidly altering these ecosystems, some of which may soon vanish. Waldman’s mission extends beyond Antarctica to North American prairies, where similar microscopic life thrives in wetlands. She emphasizes the urgency of studying these environments before they disappear, noting that microscopes reveal life invisible to the naked eye. As curator of the San Francisco Microscopical Society, she advocates for democratizing microscopy, encouraging people to explore dirt and water samples with affordable tools. The docuseries blends science and storytelling, showing Waldman’s solo journey and the extreme resilience of creatures like tardigrades, which survive cold, heat, and even space vacuums. These organisms offer clues about potential extraterrestrial life, aligning with Waldman’s past work with NASA on citizen science projects like Spacehack and Science Hack Day. Waldman’s background in graphic design shapes her approach—she aims to make science visually accessible. Her equipment challenges included fitting microscopes and cameras into luggage before her Antarctica expedition. The series underscores how technology and art can reveal Earth’s hidden wonders while addressing climate threats to these delicate systems.