Cresta Alta: Climate Science & Sustainability Documentary Screening

Cresta Alta: Climate Science & Sustainability Documentary Screening

Thursday, April 23

6:00PM – 8:00PM

A screening of Cresta Alta followed by a community sustainability panel. 

• Tonna-Marie Rogers, Reserve Manager, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Todd Anders Johnson, environmental filmmaker
• Christopher Neill, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Woodwell Climate Research Center
• Joshua K. Wrigley, Coastal Resilience Specialist, Department of Public Works, Town of Falmouth
• Megan Amsler, Executive Director, Self-Reliance

In partnership with the Friends of the Waquoit Bay Reserve and Friends of Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge. 

Cresta Alta 

Join us for a screening of Cresta Alta, a climate science and sustainability focused documentary, and a panel discussion with local experts to understand climate change impacts on Cape Cod. Environmental filmmaker, Todd Anders Johnson, has been engaging audiences throughout the US on the Cresta Alta Film Tour. Cresta Alta chronicles a journey to Alaska, Iceland, Chile and Peru to document glaciological research expeditions and sustainability. A panel discussion will follow the documentary screening where the filmmaker will be joined by local experts working in Massachusetts on strategies to increase renewable energy and prepare our communities for climate change impacts.

In Cresta Alta, we follow filmmaker, Todd Anders Johnson, on a 10 day backpacking expedition to the McCall Glacier in the Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with Dr. Matt Nolan; setting up basecamp at the Gamma Glacier in the Olivares Basin, high in the Chilean Andes with Dr. Sebastian Mernild; trekking to Lake Pacacocha, situated at 15,000 feet in elevation, in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca with Dr. Rachel Chisolm; joining the Icelandic Glaciological Society jeeping up the Vatnajökull ice cap to conduct ice core drilling and meeting with the President of Iceland to discuss his experiences and perspectives on climate change impacts in Iceland.

“As the filming of the project unfurled, Johnson said he began to draw similarities between these initiatives and wanted the film to also highlight some of the sustainability solutions that were happening in these regions alongside the reality of how climate change was impacting these areas. One example is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded program in Huaraz, Peru, using bio-remediation to clean river water of heavy metals occurring due to deglaciation. The expeditions and their findings highlighted in the film showcase the critical roles of scientific programs and the need for continued research funding. Alongside the film, Johnson has launched the Cresta Alta Film Tour, engaging with arts councils, colleges, high schools and museums by providing a screening of the film to communities across the United States, followed by a post-film Q&A.” The Flume, By Meryl Phair

“Todd’s film documenting his travels, his interviews with leading scientists across the world, and the amazing cinematography was a great experience for our students. There were multiple entry points for discussion, including from scientific, creative arts, geopolitical, and humanistic angles. I highly recommend Todd’s work for any school looking to bring real-world examples of the impact of climate change, and what the next generation can do about it.” Christopher Young, North Country Union High School Principal, Newport, VT

Cresta Alta Film Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGwX82nF54Q&feature=youtu.be

Questions? Please contact: Sonia.ahrabi-nejad@mass.gov.