Liz Courtney

Award-winning filmmaker Liz Courtney has spent 15 years documenting climate change. Her series, "The Tipping Points," highlights critical environmental shifts. This interview explores her impactful work and the power of storytelling to address climate issues.

What's your story?

I’m an international film director, and for the past 15 years, I’ve focused on climate change and sustainable solutions.

My journey began in corporate advertising, but I wanted to do something more meaningful. A pivotal moment in my life came when I had the chance to travel to Antarctica with 40 teenagers from around the world to direct a documentary for Discovery.  That experience changed my perspective, making me realise the importance of telling stories that educate people about the science behind climate change.

I’ve since dedicated my career to filming with scientists globally, capturing compelling narratives on climate systems. My work includes The Tipping Points series, a six-part documentary filmed across the world, accumulating nearly 500 hours of footage. I’m thrilled to have this collection with Science Photo Library and hope it will inspire more climate storytelling.

SEE THE

TIPPING POINTS

Can you tell us more about
'The Tipping Points' series?

Returning from Antarctica, I was determined to explore a new angle on climate change. I came across a paper by Professor Tim Lenton at Exeter University about climate tipping points—critical thresholds in the climate system that, once crossed, lead to irreversible changes. I called him in the middle of the night from Australia, he was in his office at Exeter University and answered, and that conversation led to a lasting collaboration.

Securing funding took a flight to the US to kick start the support, but after several meetings and pitches, we raised several million dollars and spent two years filming in diverse locations—Greenland, the Amazon, the Himalayas, Alaska, Oceania, and Africa. The series highlights how interconnected our climate system is and underscores the urgency of taking action to hold back the Greenland ice-sheet melt, water scarcity in India, permafrost melt in Alaska, crossing irreversible tipping points.

With the increasing focus on climate content, where does your work fit into the conversation?

The demand for climate-related content is growing, and stock footage plays a crucial role in sustainable filmmaking.

Not everyone needs to travel to remote locations when high-quality footage already exists. Many of us have filmed extensively in these areas, so by sharing our footage, we can reduce our carbon footprint while still telling impactful stories.

Using stock footage alongside original content creates a more environmentally responsible production model.

Could you share some memorable moments from filming?

One unforgettable experience was filming in Greenland. We had just a three-week window before the sea ice began breaking up. While filming at Russell Glacier, I was shocked by the extent of black ice caused by soot deposits. Ironically, despite being in such a remote location, we struggled with sound issues due to the thousands of planes flying overhead daily.

In the Amazon, we worked with scientists studying how the rainforest might transition into a savanna. We visited an extraordinary research centre with a glass canopy the size of two football fields, simulating reduced rainfall to observe ecosystem changes. One striking moment was standing atop a CO2 monitoring tower at sunrise, realising we had hit 400 parts per million—one of the first times that milestone was recorded.

Filming in Alaska, we explored melting permafrost, travelling to a remote ice formation called Black Mountain. I fell into a permafrost bog while trying to help my cinematographer out—both of us ended up covered in mud! Another highlight was lighting escaping methane from the lakes, visually demonstrating its potency as a greenhouse gas, in a state that has over 1,000 lakes.

In Oceania, we documented rising sea levels. Witnessing a king tide in Tuvalu flood homes and the airport runway was sobering. The realisation that just a 2-2.5m rise would submerge entire islands made the urgency of climate action even clearer for all island nations across Oceania.

How did you choose the six locations for 'The Tipping Points'?

Professor Lenton’s paper identified multiple tipping points, and we narrowed them down to those with the most immediate impact. We focused on:

  • Greenland’s ice sheet and its accelerating melt rates.
  • Permafrost thaw in Alaska, releasing vast amounts of CO2 and methane.
  • The Amazon rainforest’s potential transformation into a savanna.
  • Oceania’s rising sea levels and their impact on coastal communities.
  • Water scarcity in the Himalayas and its effects on billions reliant on glacier-fed rivers.
  • Atmospheric changes and shifting monsoonal patterns affecting Africa’s subsistence farmers.

Each location was chosen for its role in the interconnected climate system and the tangible evidence of change happening now.

What role has drone footage played in your work?

Drone technology has revolutionised climate filmmaking. It allows us to capture the vast scale of ice sheets, rainforests, and ocean currents in a way that was previously impossible.

In Antarctica, we used drones to film dramatic ice cracks and observe humpback whales without disturbing them. Flying over Deception Island, we captured the surreal landscape of a volcanic caldera filled with ocean water.

Drones provide a fresh perspective, making complex climate changes more visually compelling.

You mentioned sustainable production models. Could you elaborate?

During COVID, I had to rethink my approach to filming. I directed an entire ocean documentary remotely, using WhatsApp to guide local crews worldwide.

This experience taught me that we don’t always need to travel; we can rely on local expertise and existing footage. Adopting a hybrid model—using stock footage alongside new content—reduces environmental impact while still delivering high-quality storytelling.

Any funny or memorable behind-the-scenes moments?

Too many to count! In the Amazon, I wandered into the jungle to get a satellite phone signal, only to have the power go out at our base, leaving me in total darkness. Everything around me started moving and making noises—I’ve never found my way back so quickly!

In Alaska, after falling into a permafrost bog, I was granted a rare two-minute shower at a remote research station where showers were usually allowed only once a week.

Another time, while deep in the rainforest, I received a satellite phone call from my daughter—she was urgently looking for her soccer shorts back home. It was surreal to be dealing with melting glaciers one moment and lost laundry the next!

What do you hope audiences take away from your work?

Climate change isn’t a distant issue—it’s happening now.

With The Climate Library, I want people to understand the interconnectedness of our planet and the urgency of action. There is still hope, but only if we act decisively.

My hope is that by making this footage available, more filmmakers, educators, and storytellers will use it to inspire change.

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