Killer Serials: Breakthrough, Ep. 6

Last updated on: December 14, 2015 at 7:36 am by J. Ryan Parker

Killer Serials: Breakthrough, Ep. 6 2015-12-14T07:36:12-08:00 J. Ryan Parker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The last episode of Nat Geo’s Breakthrough aired last night, and, well, it’s a cause for concern. Tony Jones and I discuss the water crisis and the possibilities of drinking poop water.

RP: Breakthrough ends with another compelling episode. Pairing the finale with the premier, however, leads me to wonder just how screwed the human race is, as it seems like either a virus-based or water apocalypse is just around the corner. The statistics of available drinking water and where we might be in 2030 with population growth are staggering. Eighteen hundred kids die every day due to a lack of access to clean drinking water. And this is not just a “third world” problem. Here in the United States, people are out of work and forced to relocate due to a complete lack of water. (But let’s keep talking about Donald Trump.)

I wonder if, for many people in the United States, the clean water, water conservation, and the possibility of a severe water shortage are things they take for granted the most. I know I did until I moved to southern California. We’ve taken on some water conservation practices…although we can always do more. Driving between Los Angeles and San Francisco is increasingly becoming like driving through a deserted. We visited the Salton Sea last year (which is featured in this episode), and I can tell you it is like walking onto the set of a post-apocalyptic film.

Perhaps more than any episode yet, this week’s really shows the fascinating ways in which technicians, engineers, and scientists are meeting some of the greatest challenges that humanity faces. On top of that, with the work that the Italian architect is doing in Ethiopia, there’s a mix of science, engineering, and aesthetics at work that is really quite beautiful to watch.

TJ: I’ve got a friend writing a book that I’m editing about the Salton Sea. He really thinks it is a vision of our future, and many scientists agree: combine overpopulation with climate change, and we’re simply going to run out of water. I know that many people seem to think that the human race can get ourselves out of any problem, I just don’t see the evidence to support that.

That being said, the Breakthrough scientists featured in this and every episode are inspiring. I mean, they’ve got us drinking poop water. That’s amazing.

In the end, though, after watching all six episodes I just don’t know if these scientists can save us. I realize that many people have more faith in science than in God in the face of such crises, but I have my doubts…

RP: There are clear takeaways for the church and people of faith here. The crisis is large, but ways to address it are extremely accessible and manageable. The Warka Water towers in Ethiopia look to not only be sustainable but cost effective. Doctor visits for families in these regions that suffer from a lack of clean water are only $2. This seems to be a case where the church could do a lot with relatively little.

One of the most interesting points of discussion in this episode is the tension between farming and human use of water. Are there ways in which we need to change our diets or our expectations of what we should be able to get at the grocery store in order to ensure that as many people have access to water as possible? I mean, do we really need an endless supply of walnuts?

Water should be more important to us. It has a wealth of scriptural and theological significance. I saw the Ethiopian women gathering to help build the water tower and immediately thought of the importance of wells throughout scripture. I doubt there can be a more direct conveyance of the good news and of sharing God’s love with others than making sure they have access to clean water.

TJ: One of the things that occurred to me in this episode is that maybe the church needs to start preaching against overpopulation. Just imagine, for instance, if the pope told the world’s 1+ billion Catholics that they shouldn’t have more than two or three kids each. That would run counter to the Church’s historic teaching, but it would have an immediate affect on our dwindling water supply.

“We’ve seen civilizations come and go around water,” says one scientist as she walks across the dystopian landscape of the Salton Sea bed.

I spend much of my time around water — it’s a large part of my life, and especially my recreation — and it scares the hell out of me that it might be running out. In the end, scientists and preachers must come together around these issues.

You can stream all episodes of Breakthrough at http://breakthrough.nationalgeographic.com/

Previous Post

December 9, 2015

A Christian Renounces His Right to Bear Arms

Next Post

December 16, 2015 FILMISH: A Review

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Classics DVD Film Music News Pop Culture Events Print Sports Television Uncategorized Video Games

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian group is known for its rejection of military service and political involvement?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Amish Baptist Assemblies of God Methodist