A companion soil science film produced by a Texas Tech College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources administrator and professor was released on-line this week. Between Earth and Sky: An Arctic Soils Perspective is available on YouTube.

"We're pleased to announce the new release," said David Weindorf, the film's producer and Tech's B.L. Allen Endowed Chair of Pedology in the Department of Plant and Soil Science. "This is a much more technical look at arctic soils, and is designed as a training film for soil scientists and ecologists working in the arctic."

The companion film and the initial production, Between Earth and Sky: Climate Change on the Last Frontier, are a collaborative effort between Weindorf, Texas Tech Public Media, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Tech and Alaska-Fairbanks. By highlighting the extensive work of University of Alaska-Fairbanks researcher Chien-Lu Ping, the films document the effects of climate change on the arctic soils and ecosystems of Alaska and how it is altering both the wildlife and the residents of the state.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q1Y33vIl8M&feature=youtu.be

Alaska has experienced the largest amount of regional warming of any state in the United States, with its temperature increasing 3.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1949. The films weave a narrative of interviews from some of the world's leading scientists in climate change and arctic soils with visual testimony of the day-to-day struggle of native Alaskans living on the front lines of global warming.

What started out as a simple idea to capture the knowledge and perspective of Ping's last arctic soils field tour evolved into productions that are being nationally and internationally recognized. "We have the technology today to know exactly what we are doing to the planet," said Weindorf. "People everywhere are going to be mesmerized by the undeniable research presented in this film, and the perspective of those living on the last frontier."

Excerpts of Between Earth and Sky: Climate Change on the Last Frontier were presented by Weindorf last November at the prestigious Council of Parties international climate talks in Morocco. In March the film was chosen for screening at the 2017 Environmental Film Festival in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, a national film tour is underway.

CONTACT: David Weindorf, Associate Dean for Research, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or david.weindorf@ttu.edu

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