Obviously, the images of this gigantic glacier calving not prove anything in themselves. In this clip, you have to go to minute 4:20 to see a quantitative assessment of how the ice melting rate has accelerated in a century or so. And, yet, if you go to the YouTube page of the clip, you see something unexpected. It may be just an impression of mine, but it seems to me that the comments of deniers are few and unable to hijack the discussion; as, instead, it normally happens every time you try to argue for the scientific basis of climate science. In short, these images are not only impressive, they are also effective in driving home a basic point: global warming is changing our world; it is changing it deeply, it is doing that now.
Most of us do not think in equations. We tend to think, rather, in terms of images and associations. And we believe in something when we see it happening, not when it comes a prediction of some complex mathematical model. As climate change progresses, it becomes more and more evident: you can see its effects around you with your eyes; just as you can see with your eyes this giant glacier calving.
So, if you have a chance, try to watch the whole movie, "Chasing Ice" by James Balog. It is beautiful, incredible, eerie, and terrifying. We need more movies like this one!
h/t Gloria Germani
