A Vision of Paradise: Global Warming and Religion is a South African documentary series produced by Moksham Productions in association with Hooper Productions examining the role of religions in the fight against global warming.
The series originally aired on SABC2 from 9-30 August, 2009, on Sundays at 09h00. It later aired on SABC3. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
A Vision of Paradise: Global Warming and Religion premiered on SABC3 on Sunday 6 November 2011, at 22h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are four hour-long episodes in the series.
Synopsis
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 world's inhabitants.
Seasons
Note: there are four episodes in one season
Season 1
Channel: SABC2 | Premiere: 9 Aug 2009 | Finale: 30 Aug 2009 | Sundays, 09h00
Channel: SABC3 | Premiere: 6 Nov 2011 | Finale: 27 Nov 2011 | Sundays, 22h00