The Art of Losing

Although high mountain ranges occupy only a small part of the Earth, they are crucial to life on the planet. As the “water towers of the world,” they supply over two-thirds of global freshwater resources and provide sanctuary for endangered species. This series journeys across Europe’s spectacular mountain landscapes, revealing how these remote regions have shaped humanity’s past and continue to influence its future. Through powerful personal stories and breathtaking scenery, it shows how mountain communities are adapting to change—using innovation to preserve ancient traditions, from drone-guided reindeer herding in Norway to sled dogs assisting hikers in the Italian Alps—while the return of the bearded vulture to Spain offers hope for the future of these fragile environments.

They are thousands, sometimes even several million years old, or even man-made. They are of impressive beauty and home to hundreds of endemic plant and animal species: Europe’s great lakes. They provide a refuge for animals and humans, are of biological importance, of aesthetic beauty and rich in legendary myths. But these wonderful water worlds are in danger, even though their discovery has often only just begun. Pollution from sewage and waste, overfishing, illegal development. The series captivates with impressive images of nature and shows what solutions are available to preserve these water paradises.