Human Footprint, the science series exploring humanity’s worldwide mark, continues its second season with The Enemy of My Enemy. Airing Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET on PBS, this episode, hosted by Shane Campbell-Staton, takes a close look at an often-overlooked aspect of human dominance: our reliance on other species.
The idea here is that humans have not conquered the planet alone. Instead, we have often “recruited” species from the natural world to help us face down foes. Campbell-Staton leads the exploration, examining the often surprising partnerships and biological aids that have shaped our progress. This is not just a straightforward look at human intervention; it is about how other creatures have played their part in our story.
The series aims to deepen understanding of humanity’s impact on Earth, moving beyond simple cause-and-effect to consider the complex web of interactions.