A pioneering glaciologist, Claude Lorius had already warned the world about climate change in the 60s. While these issues are now being discussed at the Paris Climate Conference, a new film explores his life.
Image: Marc Perrey
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'Ice and the Sky,' a documentary urging global action
Just as the future of the planet is being negotiated at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, the documentary "Ice and the Sky" demonstrates without a doubt our role in global warming.
Image: Marc Perrey
The pioneer of global warming research
The French glaciologist Claude Lorius is considered the father of climate research. He devoted his entire career to the exploration of the ice of the Antarctic, beginning with an expedition to the region in 1955. Now a new documentary by French director Luc Jacquet called "Ice and the Sky" honors his groundbreaking work. The film opens in Germany, just as world leaders meet in Paris for COP21.
Image: Sarah Del Ben
Exploring the South Pole
In 1955, Claude Lorius traveled to the Antarctic with two colleagues in order to live there over a whole winter. This first expedition laid the foundation for his life's work. Sixty years ago, the South Pole was still unknown territory. Lorius collected a lot of scientific material - he was one of the first explorers to do so. Most significantly, he pinpointed the cause of climatic change.
Image: Eskward Wild Touch Luc Jacquet
Inspired by penguins
Filmmaker Luc Jacquet decided to portray Claude Lorius to offer a truthful reflection on the state of the world. Just like Lorius, the director feels connected with the Antarctic. His beautiful documentary "March of the Penguins" was a global hit and obtained an Oscar in 2005.
Image: Sarah Del Ben
More than a biopic
They have an age difference of 40 years, but both men are equally passionate about the Antarctic. Together with Luc Jacquet, Claude Lorius went over the highlights of his life devoted to scientific research to create this film - which also delivers an urgent call to action. Now in his 80s, it might be one of the scientist's last chances to do so.
Image: skwad Wild Touch Marc Perrey
In whisky lies the truth
A mixture of stunning landscapes and archives are used to tell the story of the polar explorer. It starts with his arrival at the southern end of the world in the 50s and shows how a breakthrough moment came by celebrating with a glass of whiskey: Lorius realized that the ice in his drink contained trapped air that could be analyzed as it escapes to determine its gas content.
Image: Luc Jacquet
A horrible realization
During his research, Lorius discovered bubbles in the ice. He went on to drill holes which enabled him to analyze the last 800,000 years of climate history of the Earth. That had never happened before. He came to understand the origins of global warming, and the fact that humans seriously influence that process.
Image: Sarah Del Ben
Over a decade on ice
Lorius took part in 22 polar expeditions, most of them in the Antarctic. He got involved in the development of ice-drilling programs. In 1957, he began his research in a small station in the middle of an icy expanse. Eight years later, he was one of the first scientists to warn the world of the dangers caused by global warming. Altogether, he spent more than a decade under extreme conditions.
Image: Eskwad Wild Touch CNRS Fonds Claude Lorius
Long journey
The viewers accompany Claude Lorius on a journey into his past, getting to know him as a 23-year old researcher until present day, as an 83-year-old experienced scientist. The message he has been sending out to the world took a long time to find acceptance.
Image: Eskwad Wild Touch CNRS Fonds Claude Lorius
Beyond the film
The film opened in Germany on November 26, just a few days before the UN Climate Change Conference started in Paris. The message of the film is clear: climate change is an important issue that still urgently needs to be dealt with. Lorius had predicted the disastrous effects of global warming over 30 years ago, and it is now an undeniable truth.
Image: Marc Perrey
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Leaders negotiating the future of the planet at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference should watch "Ice and the Sky," a documentary which demonstrates without a doubt our role in global warming.
The film tells the story of the climatologist Claude Lorius, now in his 80s, who demonstrated long ago the connection between climate change and CO2 emissions through his research on glaciers.
Filmmaker Luc Jacquet, who received an Oscar for "March of the Penguins," returned to the Antartic to direct this documentary, which aims to challenge everyone who still denies global warming.
The film concludes with a direct question: "Now that you know, what are you going to do about it?"
Click through the gallery above to find out more about the film and the work of Claude Lorius.
