Thin Ice Climate

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    THIN ICE The Inside Story of Climate Science - 56 mins

    BROADCAST EDITION: In recent years climate science has come under increasing attack, so concerned geologist Simon Lamb grabbed his camera and set out to explore the inside story of climate research. For over three years he followed scientists from a wide range of disciplines at work in the Arctic, Antarctic, Southern Ocean, New Zealand, Europe and the United States.

    They talk about their work, their hopes and fears with a rare candor and directness, resulting in an intimate portrait of the global community of researchers racing to understand our planet’s changing climate and provide a compelling case for rising CO2 as the main cause.

    This is the human voice of climate science, making the issue easier for the wider public to appreciate. The scientists represent all key areas and come from many backgrounds. Their conclusion is being borne out by a growing global consensus represented by the 2015 Paris Agreement aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

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  • Watch Trailer

    THIN ICE The Inside Story of Climate Science - 73 mins

    DIRECTOR'S CUT: In recent years climate science has come under increasing attack, so concerned geologist Simon Lamb grabbed his camera and set out to explore the inside story of climate research. For over three years he followed scientists from a wide range of disciplines at work in the Arctic, Antarctic, Southern Ocean, New Zealand, Europe and the United States.

    They talk about their work, their hopes and fears with a rare candor and directness, resulting in an intimate portrait of the global community of researchers racing to understand our planet’s changing climate and provide a compelling case for rising CO2 as the main cause.

    This is the human voice of climate science, making the issue easier for the wider public to appreciate. The scientists represent all key areas and come from many backgrounds. Their conclusion is being borne out by a growing global consensus represented by the 2015 Paris Agreement aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

    Buy $14.99 Rent $3.99
DAVID SINGTON
I have made several films about climate change simply because it is the single biggest threat that faces our world. Simon and I decided with THIN ICE to focus on the scientists as well as the science, and it was a privilege to meet so many brilliant and dedicated people. That we now understand how the Earth's climate works may raise grave issues, but it also represents a wonderful achievement of the human intellect which it is a pleasure to celebrate in this film.

SIMON LAMB
I am a scientist and geologist. Back in 2006 I was at Oxford University, where I conceived the idea, together with Peter Barrett at Victoria University of Wellington, of making a film to communicate the science of climate change to a wide audience. This was at a time when there seemed a desperate need for scientists to explain clearly the scientific basis of man-made climate change, before we had even heard about Al Gore’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’. The idea was to let the scientists speak directly to the audience, through interviews and film of their research in the field. The project began as a joint collaboration between Oxford University and Victoria University of Wellington. However, Antarctica New Zealand and New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmosphere offered logistical support to visit Antarctica and the southern Ocean. Given our small budget, the task of filming fell on myself. Over a period of 3 years, I took advantage of every opportunity to interview and film climate scientists around the world, eventually acquiring over 100 hours of material, which was professionally edited by David Fairhead in London, working closely with distinguished film maker David Sington. The film was premiered on Earth Day 2013, and has attracted a growing world-wide audience who clearly appreciate the intimate portrait of scientists around the world racing to understand our changing climate, learning why human activity is the cause.

  • a very clear and comprehensive look at the science behind climate change. It was easy to follow, informative - a pleasure to watch.

    — Second Nature Team, Boston, following the global launch on Earth Day.

Cast & Crew

Cast

              A David Sington and Simon Lamb film
    Photographed by Simon Lamb
    Executive Producers Peter Barrett and Philip England
    Co-produced by Catherine Fitzgerald
    Edited by David Fairhead
    Music by Philip Sheppard

    
The following experts were interviewed for the Thin Ice Project

    MYLES ALLEN - Atmospheric Physicist
    CLIFF ATKINS - Geologist
    NANCY BERTLER - Glaciologist
    MARTIN BLUNT - Geochemist
    NEIL BOWLES - Atmospheric Physicist
    MARTIN BRASIER - Palaeontologist
    WALLACE BROECKER - Oceanographer
    LIONEL CARTER - Marine Geologist
    NIKI DAVEY - Marine Technician
    DAN DIXON - Glaciologist
    KATIE DUGGER - Marine Ecologist
    GAVIN DUNBAR - Geologist
    SIR LLOYD GEERING - Theologian
    DAVID HARWOOD - Geologist
    MATTHEW HUBER - Palaeoclimate Modeller
    PHILIP JONES - Climatologist
    BRIAN KARL - Marine Ecologist
    DANIEL KOSELI - Engineer
    ANDERS LEVERMANN - Ocean Modeller
    ADRIAN MACEY - Diplomat
    MARTIN MANNING - Atmospheric Chemist
    PAUL MAYEWSKI - Glaciologist
    MALTE MEINSHAUSEN - Climate Modeller
    FABIAN MOELLER - Engineer
    HUGH MORTIMER - Atmospheric physicist
    TIMOTHY NAISH - Geologist
    SCOTT NODDER - Oceanographer
    LISA NORTHCOTE - Marine Technician
    RAY PIERREHUMBERT - Planetary Physicist
    ALEX PYNE - Drilling Manager
    JAMES RAE - Oceanographer
    STEFAN RAHMSTORF - Climatologist
    ROS RICKABY - Marine Biochemist
    KATJA RIEDEL - Atmospheric Chemist
    LIZ SIKES - Oceanographer
    MARK SKIDMORE - Biologist
    CRAIG STEVENS - Oceanographer
    CRAIG STEWART - Marine Technician
    LONNIE THOMPSON - Glaciologist
    MIKE WILLIAMS - Oceanographer
    TONY WILLIAMS - Meteorologist