The work underway by scientists around the world to understand climate change is explored in a short film to be screened in Melbourne's Federation Square as part of its global launch next week.
Thin Ice: The inside story of climate science tells the story of what drives scientists.
In a journey that literally takes them to the ends of the Earth, geologist filmmakers, Peter Barrett and Simon Lamb spend three years following scientists at work.
It documents a global community of researchers racing to understand the planet's changing climate and concludes that climate change is no hoax.
The research explored in the film resonates with work being done by the institutions hosting the free public screening of Thin Ice in Melbourne, namely Monash University's Faculty of Science the Monash Sustainability Institute, Melbourne University and the Melbourne Energy Institute.
The film will air simultaneously around the world on Earth Day, April 22, 2013.
Head of the School of Biological Sciences at Monash and Antarctic research biologist, Professor Steven Chown, said the rate of change is outstripping the rate at which humans can effectively respond.
"Thin Ice is part of the increasing need to shine a light on just what scientists studying the climate are doing and why their findings cause them much concern,”Chown said.
"Climate researchers in parts of the world, including here in Melbourne, show that evidence is really stacking up to suggest that, through our own actions, humanity is in serious climate difficulty.
"Thin Ice is about some of these scientists. It reveals the personalities behind the work, exposes their motives, and what their findings mean in the context of our global society.”
Free public screenings of the 74-minute documentary will take place in Federation Square, Melbourne, on Monday, April 22 at 12pm and 5pm.
Professor Chown will join Dr Malte Meinshausen, a climate scientist at Melbourne University who features in the film from 5pm. During the screening, experts will be able to answer questions from the public.
