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A VISION
OF PARADISE
GLOBAL WARMING AND RELIGION
4x48 minutes |
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Produced in association with Hooper Productions.
Across the world, nature’s warning is clear and
unambiguous. Planet Earth is warming. Its climate is
changing. The weight of swelling populations, wholesale
consumerism, massive industrialisation, and the
exploitation of creation’s resources is causing the
environment to buckle.
Climate change is a threat to humanity as a whole, but
those who are least responsible, the poor, will suffer
the most.
And Africa will be hit the hardest. With world
temperatures expected to rise by at least two degrees on
average this century, local temperatures in parts of
Africa may increase by eight or more degrees.
In these conditions, many crops will simply not grow,
water will become even scarcer, and for many
communities, death is inevitable.
EPISODE 1 – THE SCIENCE
In this episode we examine the evidence that global
warming is happening, the causes, and the potential
crises that we face if temperatures continue to increase
at the same rate as is happening today.
We look at the effects on biodiversity and the large
number of animal and plant species that face extinction,
and the looming humanitarian crisis as up to two hundred
million people face the prospect of becoming climate
change refugees.
EPISODE 2 – CALL TO RELIGION
In this episode we examine the various Faiths
perspective on humankind’s relationship with nature, and
their responsibilities in taking care of the
environment.
Over four billion people – two-thirds of the world’s
population – are active members of one or other
religion, all of which profess to love God’s creation.
The question we ask is why are the religious leaders not
taking a more active role in encouraging their followers
to act responsibly?
EPISODE 3 – MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In this episode we travel through southern Africa to
look at some of the religious based projects or
educational initiatives which are making a difference in
the fight against global warming.
Although some of these projects are not related directly
to global warming, they reflect a positive attitude
towards nature and the basis for the philosophy
suggested by Mahatma Ghandi … “Be the change you want to
see in the world”. True change begins with the
individual, and when enough individuals make the change,
the world will change with them.
EPISODE 4 – THE ROAD AHEAD
As we conclude this series, we will look at the options
facing us as a country. Is it possible to shift our
hefty economy away from fossil fuels? How do we as
individuals respond? And what can we expect of our
government?
We look at alternate energy sources for the future
including wind power, bio-mass fuels, solar water
heating, solar electricity, hydro-electric power
generation as well as the more controversial nuclear
power, and futuristic concepts like carbon capture.
And finally the role of religious leaders as custodians
of the moral conscience of the planet, and as the
spiritual leaders of four billion of the worlds
inhabitants. |