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At a time when people around our interconnected world need hope more than ever, National Geographic commemorates Earth Day with three global, emotionally evocative specials that inspire hope for our dynamic planet, love for its animal inhabitants and actions of stewardship for this generation and those to come.
Beginning at 18:00 CAT, simulcast on National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, the two-hour documentary special Jane Goodall: The Hope takes viewers through chapters of Dr. Goodall’s journey, highlighting how she inspires future generations. Following this, peer behind the camera to see what it takes to capture Wildlife in their natural habitat with National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Beverly and Dereck Joubert in Okavango: River of Dreams – Divine Journeys. Join National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore on his quest to photograph some of the animals in the world in Photo Ark: Rarest Creatures.
“The need to protect our planet has never been more urgent, and we’re using Earth Day 50th as an opportunity to inspire viewers through the wonders of our planet and its incredible species for viewers around the world,” said Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Global Television Networks. “With the Earth Day takeover across all of our networks and platforms, we are able to reach the largest audience possible to celebrate this momentous day and ensure that viewers fall in love with our planet and act to protect it.”
Jane Goodall: The Hope
Continuing the optimism of Earth Day is the two-hour documentary JANE GOODALL: THE HOPE, premiering at 18:00 on National Geographic and National Geographic Wild. The sweeping film highlights Dr. Goodall’s vast legacy of four decades, having transformed environmentalism, nonhuman animal welfare and conservation through her innovative approaches, and becoming a worldwide icon. This special depicts the formation of the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI’s) “Tacare” community-centered conservation approach and Roots & Shoots youth-empowerment program; her remarkable advocacy and leadership on behalf of chimpanzees and humanity; and the next chapter for generations to come. This singular story is of one remarkable woman who not only hoped for a better world — she achieved it!
Okavango: River of Dreams – Divine Journeys
Divine Journeys provides an amazing look behind the scenes – revealing the efforts and sometimes dramatic events during the production. It’s a very personal journey of Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who want to find the very heart and soul of this great river. Amongst other things, it leads them to an almost fatal incident with an injured buffalo that Beverly barely survived. This life-changing event is mirrored through the accident of Fekeetsa, the main character of the first episode: a lioness that was also wounded by a buffalo. The film takes a journey from the dramatic to humour and back, as an example of daily life on an expedition like this.
Photo Ark: Rarest Creatures
Follow National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore on his globetrotting quest to photograph some of the rarest animals in the world. These arresting, studio portraits of over 5,000 species go into the Photo Ark, Joel’s 25-year-long project to document the world’s animals before they go extinct. By looking these animals in the eye, we begin to care about them and understand their importance to the health of our planet. When we save these species, we’re actually saving ourselves.
Photo Ark: Rarest Creatures looks at factors driving extinction, including rising sea levels, deforestation, invasive species, pollution, and human development, which impact animals essential to the planet’s survival. Journey with Sartore across the globe as he seeks to save these creatures by getting people to “look these animals in the eye while we still have time to save them.”
You can watch the special Earth Day programming on National Geographic (DStv 181) or National Geographic Wild (DStv 182) on April 22nd 2020.
