This actor from 'Game of Thrones' is expanding his search for climate solutions worldwide

In the premiere of the newest season of An Optimists Guide to the Planet, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau journeys into the Ecuadorian Amazon to meet the Achuar Indigenous community. The group is actively opposing the construction of a road through their land, aware of the deforestation, illegal mining, and crime such projects have triggered elsewhere. Instead, the Achuar are creating sustainable solutions locally: connecting villages via rivers, converting diesel engines to batteries, and adopting solar power.

Technology is a tool we choose to use, not the other way around, Coster-Waldau explained.

The second season, which premiered on October 23 on Bloomberg TV and streaming platforms, broadens its scope, showcasing both small and large-scale climate initiatives worldwide while emphasizing hope and human agency. Filming spanned Europe, Asia, and the Americas, highlighting innovative approaches to water, waste, and energy challenges in local contexts.

Global Perspective and Human Spirit

Reflecting on the new season, Coster-Waldau notes that the global lens of the show offers fresh perspective. While global crises often dominate attention, the season underscores human creativity and the drive to solve problems. He observes that social media and conflict-focused narratives can distort perceptions, but the underlying human spirit remains resilient.

He also stresses a shift in climate communication: fear-based messages can be counterproductive. Long-term solutions require generational effort, and exaggeration of worst-case scenarios may backfire. Realistic awareness of current climate impactsextreme weather, pollution, and biodiversity lossis sufficient to inspire action.

Choosing Locations and Stories

Season 2 filming locations were chosen based on lessons from the first season, with blocks in the Americas, India, and Europe. Stories were selected for their innovative approaches to pressing environmental issues, including water management, energy solutions, and waste reduction. Logistical considerations were also key, balancing curiosity-driven exploration with practical feasibility.

Inspiring People and Solutions

Coster-Waldau emphasizes the commonality among people worldwide: everyone seeks purpose and agency. He notes that outside of wealthier regions, optimism and belief in positive change are often stronger. Communities demonstrate ingenuity, solving fundamental issues with minimal resources in ways that avoid creating further environmental harm.

Highlighting standout solutions, he points to a Chicago-based company, Mycocycle, which uses fungi to break down construction waste. Similarly, in India, discarded temple flowers are transformed into leather-like material using natural processes. These examples illustrate the principle that nothing is truly waste; resources can be repurposed if approached creatively.

Shared Goals and Collective Action

On the universal human drive to address climate change, Coster-Waldau remarks that most people desire the same outcomes: a better, sustainable life. Action, rather than fear or blame, is essential to progress. Meeting those actively working on solutions provides encouragement and demonstrates that meaningful change is achievable through collective effort.

An Optimists Guide to the Planet airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on Bloomberg Originals and is available on streaming platforms including Samsung TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and LG channels, with episodes also on Bloomberg TV and online.

Author: Jackson Miller