Plot Synopsis

HACKING THE PLANET follows host and former "Scientific American" editor-in-chief John Rennie, as he and two correspondents -- Huffington Post's "Talk Nerdy to Me" Science Correspondent Cara Santa Maria and Science Comedian Brian Malow -- explore the work of scientists developing ways to prevent, weaken or redirect threatening weather conditions and natural phenomena, including tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, earthquakes, rainfall and volcanic eruptions. Each 30-minute episode features a different natural phenomenon, with Rennie going through a series of field experiments, illustrated by unique animated graphics, and talking through each scenario and its plausibility with Santa Maria and Malow. Among many strategies to manipulate the Earth, this series highlights scientists and engineers attempting to deflect hurricanes, increase and decrease rainfall, channel lightning, and harness the power of tornadoes.