Chasing Ice

Chasing Ice

Chasing Ice follows the story of environmental photographer James Balog and the team he leads called the EIS (Extreme Ice Survey) and documents their relentless dedication to finding out where our ice is going. The setting up of the cameras was a lot harder and dangerous then I had originally assumed, requiring the team to create makeshift computer parts and systems that hadn't been designed for this activity. They had to bring in engineers to manufacture and test out the equipment in the field. Balog also had to sacrifice a lot to get this work done, leaving two daughters and a wife at home, as well as undergoing at least 4 surgeries to his legs to keep him in the field, despite doctors telling him that hiking in these areas was out of the question for his health.


The most amazing part about this film to me was that they were able to capture all of this retreat and destruction on film, which required two assistants to camp out in areas such as Greenland, Iceland, and Alaska hoping to catch a glimpse at the destruction of our glaciers. Looking at the rushing water that would come from some of the melting glaciers, some of them the size of waterfalls, it wasn't hard to imagine how easily that water could raise sea level. The pictures of ice are pictures that are shown in the movie were beyond my imagination. I've linked just one of the many professional photos that were taken during the trip, and it was such really interesting to see where those cool windows background pictures come from.

Due to the team's efforts, the melting of these areas is documented and proved for the world to see. It is near impossible to argue that there is change occurring in these areas due to the tireless work of this team. Overall, it left me thinking that if I had seen this a lot earlier in life, that it would have motivated me and hopefully others to realize that climate change isn't a problem in the future. Climate change is happening right now, and the answers are all in the ice.


You can find out more information about the work of the Extreme Ice Survey here and see all the crazy ordeals this team went through. This movie can be found on netflix, as well as youtube for $40.00.


Below is a like to glacier calving, caught by the team.