A journey to the stunning Alps in 2017 dramatically altered the perspective of renowned filmmaker Craig Leeson. After witnessing the heartbreaking fatalities of mountaineers caught in an avalanche, Craig becomes acutely aware of how climate change is reshaping these majestic mountains, rendering them warmer and far more perilous. This grim reality is reflected in similar stories globally. The Last Glaciers chronicles Craig’s three-year expedition into understanding climate change, fueled by the enlightening yet alarming science of ice cores. His transformation from a skeptic to a staunch advocate drives him to elevate awareness about the critical issues affecting billions.
Joining Craig on this ambitious project are extreme sports enthusiasts Dave Turner and Malcolm Wood, who equip him with the vital skills to conquer his vertigo and traverse glacial ranges. Their diverse backgrounds, marked by para-alpinism and alpine climbing, either make them an exemplary team or a combination ripe for calamity. Complicating the dynamics is a journalist, who finds the high-altitude escapades daunting, further intensifying the breathtaking challenges faced by this trio on their path to discovery.
Throughout this riveting quest, each expedition takes Craig to profoundly affected locations, from burnt homes of communities grappling with climate change to the epicenters of global efforts in problem-solving. He connects with the youth of the world, many of whom, fueled by frustration at the political inertia on climate issues, have taken to the streets in protest. Craig also engages with climate scientists, unearthing the alarming findings of their worldwide studies while witnessing firsthand the destabilization of iconic peaks across the globe.
The documentary provides a lens into the work of esteemed scientists, ranging from NASA to France's Ice Memory Project, and to the initiatives carried out by INAIGEM in Peru. It uncovers how ice, particularly glaciers, narrates the tale of historical climate shifts and illustrates humanity's impact on our planet's health.
This film serves as a long-awaited wake-up call, addressing climate change in an unprecedented manner. It embarks on a transformative journey, bringing to life the exhilarating world of extreme sports while elucidating the reality of our planet's melting ice. It sheds light on entire communities facing unpredictable futures, detailing how the interconnectedness of earth, water, and our wavering climate poses severe risks to ecosystems, agriculture, water systems, infrastructure, and human health. The message is stark yet clear: the vital systems we depend on for our daily existence are beginning to falter.
This is heralded as the first feature documentary crew to join NASA on the Operation IceBridge research mission, soaring over Antarctica. Supported by some of the globe's most revered scientific institutions, including NASA, INAIGEM, ICIMOD, Arctic Basecamp, GLACIOCLIM, and Climate Outreach.
> "DISCOVERING FIRSTHAND AND DOCUMENTING CINEMATICALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME ONE OF THE BIGGEST CATASTROPHIC FALL-OUT OF CLIMATE CHANGE THAT IS ALREADY AFFECTING ALMOST 2 BILLION PEOPLE IN THE HIMALAYAN WATERSHED..."
