Science+Behind+the+Film

=__**Scientific Evidence**__= Since the film is not a documentary, the evidence is not presented as dry as it would be in a documentary nor is it supported with graphs. However, the information is still there and equally right. Throughout the film there are references to the actual scientific evidence of climate change used today.

At the start of the film Christopher is enthusiastically presenting his science project. In his project he explains that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Although not as potent as others, it is the one of the most present in the atmosphere. In fact the amount of carbon dioxide has increased by approximately 104 ppm since 1750. Christopher explains that the increase in the amount of carbon dioxide is due to the amount of pollution human activity is creating. Through factories, car and more, the amount of carbon sources has drastically increased. On top of this, humans are destroying carbon sinks like forests through deforestation. At this point, Christopher’s nemesis, Bradley decides to point out that water vapour is a greenhouse gas and there is more of it in the atmosphere. Christopher rebuts this by showing a graph of the different wavelengths that water vapour and carbon dioxide absorb. In the graph it shows that carbon dioxide absorbs different wavelengths of energy that water vapour does not. By increasing the amount of carbon dioxide, the amount of energy of certain wavelengths absorbed increases, thus altering the climate. Christopher concludes his project by saying that if nothing is done than there will be an increase in temperature, sea levels, ocean acidification and more. A classmate then points out the fact that this is not occurring presently, therefore Christopher is probably fabricating lies. Christopher fails his science project despite the solid scientific evidence he had.
 * Christopher’s Science Project:**

The Sabatier Process, named after Paul Sabatier, is a process that produces methane and water from hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The process can occur at very high temperatures in the presence of either nickel or ruthenium which act as catalysts. Currently space travelers can produce oxygen from water using electrolysis. This process leaves them with hydrogen gas, which they merely throw overboard. As the astronauts consume the oxygen, they produce carbon dioxide. This is where the Sabatier process comes in. Using the hydrogen and oxygen, the Sabatier process could produce water. With the methane they could throw it over board or pyrolyzed into its component parts. The idea is that if they can make the process occur by other means, they can have a permanent supply of water for space travel. The chemical equation for the Sabatier process is : CO2 + 4H2 -- > CH4 +2H2O
 * Sabatier Process**

In the film, the scientist are continuing there research when something goes wrong with the experiment. In the chaos that occurs, all the stored methane from the experiment is released from it’s container. In other words, millions of methane particles are escaping into the Earth’s atmosphere. This is the big event which pushes the earth toward a drastic climate change. Until this event, there have only been slight changes. Now there will be plenty more which the government will be unable to hide.

On a side note, the reason why Christopher realizes that it’s methane that has been released is due to the fire storm that occurs over the lab. During the storm, which caused Sophie's power to go out, the methane is ignited by the lightning and starts a firestorm. Although the storm is not that big, it is large enough for Christopher to realize what has occured.

The film is certred around the idea that the earth is going to drastically heat up and not be able to cool down again. After the firestorm, Christopher is explaining the significance of what just occured outside. He explains that methane is a strong greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of 25. Christopher explains that at the present there is approximately 1745 ppb of methane in the atmosphere. After what just happened outside, the amount of methane could have increased by 100 ppm. This drastic increase in methane could drastically warm up the planet. If the planet keeps warming up, more methane will be released from permafrost and the oceans. As well, the landmass of ice would decrease which in turn would decrease the amount of energy reflected. In addition to this, the temperature increase would increase the amount of carbon dioxide. On top of all these effects, humans are still polluting the planet with greenhouse gases. In other words, this methane release could lead the world into a downward spiral. If nothing is done then the earth could reach a global temperature of no return. 'No return' meaning that the temperature will increase so much, that the earth will not be able to cool down.
 * Global Temperature of "No Return"**

During the film, Chirstopher is in a government buiding and discovers files about climate change. These files are very similar to the ones found on NASA's website. There are graphs which show the increase in carbon dioxide since 1750, the melting of the glaciers, the increase the temperature and theocean acidication levels. All this data is precisely as Christopher predicted and has been warning people about. The significance of this data is that it supports his hypothesis of anthropogenic climate change. Christopher takes this data, which has been hidden from public eye, and decides he will use it to show to the public.
 * Data from the Government**