Ep 7. Safe Passage

Years of Living Dangerously is a critically acclaimed television series that delves into the complexities of climate change and how it impacts the world. The show is a collaboration between some of the most esteemed journalists, scientists, and Hollywood celebrities. Season 2, episode 7, titled Safe Passage, is one of the most riveting episodes of the series and takes the viewers on an emotional and thought-provoking journey.

Safe Passage examines the human cost of climate change, specifically in relation to the Syrian conflict. Syria has been in the throes of a civil war since 2011, and the episode highlights how climate change is exacerbating this crisis. The show explains how a severe drought hit Syria in 2006, and the government's mishandling of the situation displaced thousands of farmers who were already struggling to make ends meet. This displacement then led to a domino effect of social and political insecurity that ultimately resulted in the current conflict.

The episode primarily follows the journey of Jack Black, an actor and climate activist, as he travels to refugee camps in Lebanon and meets with Syrians who have been displaced by the conflict. Black is visibly moved by the stories of the refugees and their struggles to survive in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. He speaks with parents whose children have died due to the harsh living conditions in the refugee camps and meets with young Syrian girls who are unable to go to school as a result of the conflict.

Safe Passage also shines a light on the efforts of Syrian and Lebanese organizations who are working to provide aid and support to refugees. Some of these organizations include the Syrian American Medical Society, which provides medical care to refugees, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which provides shelter and basic necessities to those in need. The episode highlights the tireless work of these organizations and their staff, who work in some of the harshest conditions in the world to make a difference.

Towards the end of the episode, viewers meet a Syrian family that has been granted resettlement in the United States. Safe Passage follows the family's journey as they prepare to leave the refugee camp and start their new life in America. The scenes are emotional and heartwarming as the family members discuss their hopes for the future and their gratitude for being given a second chance.

As with all episodes of Years of Living Dangerously, Safe Passage is a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities around the world. The episode highlights how climate change is not just an environmental issue but a human issue that affects people's lives, livelihoods, and futures. Safe Passage is a poignant and emotional episode that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.