LJMU produced films to be shown at COP26 in Glasgow

LJMU films of how fast rising sea levels impact island communities will be shown to delegates at Glasgow COP26 next week.

The stunning footage created by the Media Production team in the Screen School has already had significant impact on framing the international debate on sea level rise and the UN’s intervention in this policy area.

The footage charts the lives of fishing communities in the Philippines after the 2013 earthquake, which caused a rapid drop in land levels.

"Due to the land subsidence of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, the islands are adapting to a 100 years of sea-level rise during these King Tides,” explained Chris Chadwick who helped lead on the creative, linear and immersive 360 VR documentaries.

“On the back of the UN playing the films at their World Oceans Day this year, we have been invited to show the films in an immersive exhibition. They only wanted high-impact projects.”

'Watery world'

The team’s films portray how life adapted post-earthquake to the new watery world and are thought to contain lessons for global adaptation to higher sea levels in the future.

“The people on those four islands couldn’t move to mainland because their whole livelihood depending on fishing. So they stayed and with government support they are adapting to a hundred years’ worth of sea level rise. They are amazingly resilient.

The research Racing the King Tide has helped shape the views of coastal planners and engineers about climate adaptation, including solutions such as homes on stilts, raised roads and eco-mangroves to keep salt water at bay.

The UN Climate Change Conference runs in Glasgow from Nov 1 – 12. Look for Racing the King Tide https://ukcop26.org/the-conference/green-zone-programme-of-events/.