Ever wondered if what scientists tell us about climate change is just a hoax, or that the impact of our changing weather patterns is far worse than we anticipated; or how reliable the predictions are?
If these, or any other questions on climate change, have ever concerned you, then you need to watch the global launch of Thin Ice, the inside story of climate science, presented for free at various venues in Port Elizabeth and George next week between 23 and 26 April, by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).
As the only university in South Africa to offer the new trans-disciplinary science of Earth Stewardship, NMMU was asked to promote the film and facilitate debate surrounding climate science. This film lets the world’s leading climate scientists explain in their own words why they think human activity is changing the planet’s climate; and how we might adapt to these inevitable changes.
“We would like to engage the public more with our various scientific challenges. This film is an ideal way of triggering dialogue across the metropole on a subject that affects us all, as global stakeholders, especially in Africa and the Eastern Cape,” says NMMU’s Prof Maarten de Wit, a pioneer in the new field of Earth Stewardship Science which aims to research sustainable development goals for people and planet in an integrated fashion by bringing scientists from different disciplines together.
After the screenings a panel of experts and top NMMU students will facilitate debate with the audience on the controversial subject of climate change and how it may lead to changed lifestyles and habits in the not-too-distant future.
The 73-minute film which took over five years to make by scientists Simon Lamb and David Sington, will be launched globally on World Earth Day on Monday, 22 April.
Prof Lamb was Prof de Wit’s first PhD graduate and is already acclaimed as a film-maker for his eight-part BBC series Earth Story.
“The film allows climate scientists working around the world to communicate directly with a global audience,” says Prof de Wit, who hosts a research chair in the new discipline.
Free screenings and refreshments:
- NMMU’s South Campus Auditorium – Tuesday 23 April at 6pm
- NMMU’s George Campus lecture theatre (live streaming) – Tuesday 23 April at 6pm
- NMMU’s Missionvale Campus Conference Centre – Wednesday 24 April at 3pm
- South End Museum – Wednesday 24 April at 6pm
- Red Location Museum – Thursday 25 April at 3pm
- Bird Street Campus, Room 101l – Friday 26 April at 6pm
Thin Ice Trailer from Thin Ice Climate on Vimeo.
Alan Straton
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