Chasing Ice Documentary Analysis

In modern times, when individuals think about environmental problems, climate change seems to always be at the forefront. Whether people learned through the Paris Climate Accord or the internet about the devastating effects that a warming climate could bring, most of society can at least acknowledge that climate change is a hot political talking point. Because of this, more and more research has been focused on the effects that a changing climate could bring about. Research on the effects of climate change range from the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its effects on global temperatures, to the rate at which glacial ice is melting and sea level rise. This documentary, On Thin Ice, is concerned with the relationship between a warming climate and the rate at which the Gangotri Glacier has been melting over several years. This film discusses the different effects that a rapidly melting Gangotri has on water scarcity in Indian villages located downstream as well as the ways that Americans could be affected by this environmental phenomenon.

Over the years, the topic of climate change is discussed more frequently, and virtually everyone has their own stance on it. The source of the changing climate is believed to be from the excess carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Since climate change is such a complex topic, experts are often consulted for their vast knowledge in their respected fields. Climate change can be seen in many different parts of nature, but the documentary Chasing Ice focuses mainly on the glacial movement of various patches of ice in many different locations. The documentary is directed by Jeff Orlowski and follows the journey of photographer James Balog and his crew attempting to obtain evidence of climate change. Balog and his team trek through treacherous terrain and environments in order to set up timelapse stations that take pictures of glaciers. The pictures were stitched together to create presentations that would show the effects of climate change. Orlowski uses elements of rhetoric in Chasing Ice through the use of facts, data, experts, and the overcoming major roadblocks in an attempt to influence global warming skeptics. Even though the use of these methods connect well, the lack of focus on a specific topic, the absence of acknowledgement of other perspectives, and the dreary delivery of the content prevented the documentary from having any real impact on the intended audience of elderly. As a result, the documentary just appealed to the audience that believes in

Over the years, the topic of climate change is discussed more frequently, and virtually everyone has their own stance on it. The source of the changing climate is believed to be from the excess carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Since climate change is such a complex topic, experts are often consulted for their vast knowledge in their respected fields. Climate change can be seen in many different parts of nature, but the documentary Chasing Ice focuses mainly on the glacial movement of various patches of ice in many different locations. The documentary is directed by Jeff Orlowski and follows the journey of photographer James Balog and his crew attempting to obtain evidence of climate change. Balog and his team trek through treacherous terrain and environments in order to set up time-lapse stations that take pictures of glaciers. The pictures were stitched together to create presentations that would show the effects of climate change. Orlowski uses elements of rhetoric in Chasing Ice through the use of facts, data, experts, and the overcoming major roadblocks in an attempt to influence global warming skeptics. Even though the use of these methods connect well, the lack of focus on a specific topic, the absence of acknowledgement of other perspectives, and the dreary delivery of the content prevented the documentary from having any real impact on the intended audience of elderly. As a result, the documentary just

The thesis of the film “Chasing Ice” is to portray the extreme climate change we are facing today. The film has a clear goal of showing visually the danger we are causing our planet by denying climate change. The aim of the film is to show us visually that climate change does exist and it is happening at a rapid rate. The film does a good job at providing evidence that climate change is happening, by capturing footage of the changes occurring over short periods of time. These videos captured by James Balog’s recording devices make it almost impossible to deny climate change and that is precisely the purpose of the film.

Contrary to the direct approach used by Saukko, Ehrlich’s “Chronicles of Ice” is very descriptive. She clearly describes the connection between the glaciers and its importance int his world and to its inhabitants. In paragraph three she narrated that while she looked for a more intimate view of the glacier of Perito Moreno, there was a row of ice teeth which was bent sideways indicating basal movement. She even saw something that fall and that bring surprised to everyone. She narrated that “People come here to see only the falling and failings, not the power it takes for the glacier to stay unified. She wanted to tell the readers that nothing is permanent in this world. Glacier is impermanence as she claimed. Once it’s gone, all inhabitants

The first argument examined on the man-made global warning side is that increasing greenhouse gases caused by human activities is causing directly observed climate changes. The first resulting climate change discussed is warming global surface temperature. There has been an increase in global surface temperature of 0.74 degrees C since the late 19th century. In the last 50 years alone the temperature has increased by 0.13 degrees C per decade. North America and Eurasia have seen the largest increase in warmth. However, some areas of the earth have actually cooled some this past century (Easterling & Karl, 2011, para6). After the mid 20th century 70% of the global land mass saw reduced diurnal temperatures. From 1979 to 2005 the maximum and minimum temperatures have shown no change; both indicate warming (Easterling & Karl, 2011, para10). Furthermore, borehole temperatures, snow cover, and glacier recession data all seem to agree with recent warming (Easterling & Karl, 2011, para11).

CO2 is one of the many gases that are contributing to the global warming that is affecting the earth right now in the modern day. Global warming has many effects on the environment and one of the main ones we face today is the melting of the polar ice caps. Global warming is getting so bad because more people are driving cars, which burn the oil, so now the ice caps are melting at 9 percent per year. (Natural Recources Defense Council, 2015) If we keep this up global warming will get even worse and the Arctic Summers could be ice-free by 2040. (Natural Recources Defense Council, 2015) The sea level could also rise by 23 inches by 2100. (Natural Recources Defense Council, 2015) Greenland holds 10% of the worlds ice. If this all melts, which is what it is doing now, then the sea level could rise by 21 feet. (Natural Recources Defense Council,

Human produced carbon dioxide mainly caused by the burning of natural resources and deforestation has caused the earth’s temperature to rise (Spahni). The carbon dioxide adds to a problem known as the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse effect is the building up of different gases in the earth’s atmosphere causing the earth’s temperature to rise. Consequently, the key players in the greenhouse effect are as follows: water vapor 36-70%, carbon dioxide 9-26%, methane 4-9%, and ozone 3-7% (Russel). Thus, to determine the amount of CO2 and other gases that have been in the atmosphere in the past, ice core samples are taken and examined. There are ice core samples taken from as far back as 650,000 years ago (Siegenthaler). There has

The earth has an undeniable history of climate change whether it be warming or cooling. The evidence of the Little Ice Age proves the earth can cool by its own with no aid of human influence. However, in recent years it has been suggested humans have been instrumental in the warming of our planet and the melting of polar ice as a result of the industrial era. The industrial era has brought upon the increase of greenhouse gas emitted. According to City Metric, “One idea is that small increases in greenhouse gases due to the expansion of agriculture that started 8,000 years ago have in fact delayed the next ice age.” (Mark Maslin, 2017) The cause of ice ages is not completely understood, but seems to be a natural occurrence. However, the idea that ice ages were caused by the earth’s orbit still is not irrelevant.

Due to recent increases in the Earths average temperature Climate Change has become a highly discussed topic in society. This has caused individuals to solely focus on the increasing temperatures of today and completely neglect temperatures that the planet has experienced in the past. When looking at paleoclimate data one can clearly see the fluxuations in the ice age cycles (periods of cooling and warming). Ice age cycles are amplified by positive feedback systems that make the earth cooler or warmer depending upon the physical process that is being altered. In his response Bruce Parker, a physical oceanographer, discussed the impact that these positive feedback loops have on Earths overall temperature and how scientists have yet to figure out what causes the amplifying mechanisms to switch from warming to cooling.

Did you know that during the ice agea the CO2 levels on earth were around 200 ppm and hovered to 280 ppm during the warmer periods? Last 2013 it surpassed 400 ppm for the first time in recorded history and is currently at 403.93 ppm as of October 2016. Because of this increase there are several environmental changes that people experience such as higher sea levels. Global sea level rose about 17 centimeters in the last century. The next effect is higher global temperature. Last year it was the first time that the global average temperature was higher than the average during 1880-1899.The increased temperature also lead to warmer oceans, shrinking ice sheets and Arctic sea ice, glacial retreat , decreased snow cover ,and extreme events. It

Ice cores taken from the Arctic have shown that carbon dioxide levels are much higher now than the last thousands of years. The higher amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere means warmer temperatures. There is now stronger evidence linking the warming of the ice to human activity. Global warming is caused by the green house gases, which leads to the melting of the ice, thereby affecting the ecosystem. Therefore, there is a need for everyone to reduce the amount of carbon emissions that causes the warming effect.

Climate change can be caused by many different things for example, the differences of solar radiations that’s received by the earth, volcanic eruptions, plate tectonics and human activities have also influenced climate change are often talked about as global warming (Jennings, 2011). Scientist have been trying to figure out the past and future climate by making observations and using theoretical models. There is a climate record of earths past and to this day scientists are continuing to add information. The geological evidence is from cores removed from ice that’s been accumulated, stable-isotope, glacial process and other investigations of sediment layers (Jennings, 2011).

The climate changing was first suspected in the 19th century when scientists in britain debated whether Europe was covered by ice in the past. “Guy S Callender suggested that the warming trend revealed in the 19th century had been caused by a 10% increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels.” (Harding) The debate intensified by 2005 when a study was published stating that a large scale disruption could occur by 2050 if we do not slow the process of climate change. The debate has now spiraled back to whether climate change is occurring or not. However the climate warming pattern has been increasing exponentially since the 1950’s.

Global warming has been widely discussed all around the world as it is an issue that affects the living of all mankind in the world. It is argued that the ‘anthropogenic’ changes posse more influence on the climate change to the Earth, compared to the ‘naturally driven’ glacial and interglacial changes in temperature. This report is based on the Vostok Core by faculty at Columbia University as an example for us to investigate global climate change. Author of this report believes global warming is just part of the long term temperature fluctuation during the interglacial period as there is no convincing and valid evidence that shows