The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) notes that alarms are ringing throughout the world: the most ruinous floods in Pakistan’s history, the worst drought in a generation in East Africa, Everest base camp turned from a frigid outpost to a lakeside camp. These are all signs that climate change is accelerating while most countries are failing to meet their pledges to reduce their carbon emissions.
“Voices from the Roof of the World”, an environmental documentary series sponsored by the Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation and University of Central Asia, aims to raise awareness around this injustice and the climate crisis in High-Mountain Asia.
The series is reportedly launching its second season on November 6, 2022, airing on Express News TV in Pakistan, Aga Khan University YouTube and multiple global platforms.
As world leaders gather in Egypt for COP27 to negotiate emissions reduction targets, the people and wildlife living amongst the Earth’s highest mountains are reportedly already reeling from the impact of climate change.
AKDN agencies committed to enabling the vulnerable to not only survive but thrive despite accelerating climate change.
Through 10 films produced by filmmakers from Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Nepal, Season 2 of Voices from the Roof of the World takes viewers to high-mountain communities whose traditions and very survival are threatened by fast melting glaciers and unpredictable snow and rain. Other episodes will document the threats faced by such iconic species as snow leopards and griffon vultures. The stories capture the struggle of people and natural habitats that are the least responsible for global warming but already shouldering its catastrophic impacts. Combining local knowledge and innovation, they are also finding ways to adapt and fighting to save diverse ecosystems and precious water sources.
Season 1 of Voices from the Roof of the World was broadcast by Express News TV channel and Deutsche Welle TV YouTube channel (DW TV) in Pakistan on a weekly basis from October 31, 2021 to January 2, 2022. The entire series and many individual episodes were screened at a dozen international film festivals, from Banff to Rotterdam.
