Science Photo Library Unveils The Climate Library: Showcasing the Acclaimed Tipping Points Collection by Award-Winning Film Director Liz Courtney

Science Photo Library, in collaboration with internationally acclaimed film director Liz Courtney, has announced the launch of The Climate Library, a ground-breaking endeavour featuring a remarkable collection of climate footage from the important 6-part documentary series, The Tipping Points. The launch will take place on June 13 and will be featured at the UK footageMarketplace at BAFTA. Over 1,000 videos, photographs and animated sequences will be presented during the core launch phase, with new material added on an ongoing basis.

The Tipping Points series, capturing over 500 hours of unique footage, has served as the catalyst for this innovative collaboration. Inspired by the research of Professor Tim Lenton from Exeter University, the series explores the critical tipping points within the climate system.

Ben Jones, Head of Motion at Science Photo Library, expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating, "climate change is the defining story of our generation. Expanding our coverage of interconnected issues and threats, this unique collection brings rare and remote locations, unrivalled research access, and truly spectacular footage. Our partnership with Liz Courtney adds her passion for the subject and its effective communication, her global network of contacts and her ability to distil the essence of a story. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with creatives and storytellers to enhance the clarity and expertise of their productions."

Film Director liz courtney

Reflecting on the journey, Liz Courtney shares, "I clearly remember the night when I found the science paper by Professor Lenton and the first day of principal filming on the Greenland Ice Sheet at -20C. The series set out to explore the tipping points of the climate system, the elements, where they were located and what it could mean to pass a tipping point."

Courtney adds, "We travelled across the Greenland Ice Sheet, which was just the start of the narrative, an adventure over two years to make this significant series. We visited a remote science station where a glass roof had been built over the Amazon rainforest to determine how the forest might respond to severe droughts and also travelled across Alaska, meeting NASA scientists monitoring the rate of methane being released from the permafrost."

"To this day, we are the only film crew to have captured awe-inspiring footage of Black Mountain in Alaska. Other expeditions include the Himalayas, a journey down the Ganges in India and documenting sea level threats across Oceania. We also dived on the Great Barrier Reef and filmed pink flamingos in flight in Namibia."

With its rich content, the footage offers producers a multitude of options to connect and create compelling sequences. The Climate Library provides an extensive collection of videos and photographs, catering to various educational programs, documentaries and short-form narratives. "I want to inspire more people to tell stories about the changing climate system," says Courtney. "With this fantastic footage readily available, I encourage filmmakers to adopt greener production models, reducing carbon emissions and leaving a smaller environmental footprint.

For more information, click here to visit The Climate Library.