Glaciers in a melting world
Science, justice and extractivism in Chile, Peru and Argentina
Glaciers in a melting world is a film that mixes a touristy version of race across the world, and an academic exploration of the ways in which science confronts injustice. In this 60-day journey we will meet and share stories with the main actors defending glaciers in Chile, Peru and Argentina.
We will talk with a mixed group of scientists, activists and policy makers that are challenging their governments and mining companies to protect masses of ice (glaciers) that many profit-driven endeavours see as obstacles to obtain critical minerals.
The film will explore three main topics:
1) Ice in the way of profit.
2) Andean ways of life.
3) Citizen-led glaciology.
The aim of the project is to develop sustainable citizen-led science and international collaborations to address the pressing issue of declining water availability, access, and usability in glacierised catchments in the Chilean Andes. Glacier retreat threatens the quantity and quality of water resources for human populations and ecosystems in glacierised catchments worldwide to understand the influence of glacier retreat on the availability and quality of water resources, it is essential to study not only changes in glacial water storage and run-off, but also how complex social interactions affect access to, and use of, glacier-fed water supplies
Ice in the way of Profit
Voices from mining companies —both private, and state sponsored— armed with their own scientific consultants, legal instruments and lots of economic resources are aggressively expanding their operation to extract cooper and lithium that are central to delivering the promises of the green economy in the global north. These actors want to make the most economic profit possible from the exploitation of these minerals while the boom lasts. So, why not make the most of the mineral wealth that is waiting in the Andes, since glaciers are doomed to disappear anyways? In response to these ‘pragmatic’ or ‘realistic’ views —that frame climate change as an inevitable fate— there are groups of people fighting to avoid the destruction of their ecosystems. livelihoods, and water. This strand of the documentary will explore the political, scientific and moral struggles that characterise the current climate emergency in Chile, Peru and Argentina.
Andean Ways of Life
We want the film to appeal to wide audiences, for that purpose we have designed the documentary as a travel log and race across the world (touristy) journey- showing the fantastic national parks, glaciers, inca roads and the various spaces in which tourist can encounter natural and archaeological wonders. The subterfuge strategy will bring touristy attractions and unique ways of life to meet exploitation, pollution and climate change. To both celebrate the unique Andean landscapes and peoples, but also bring issues of water scarcity, glacier destruction and climate change to the fore we will produce a daily travel log in the form of short videos to be shared in social media. We want those to promote our research project and film journey and become a bit of a digital memoir of the trip. The main point is to make a non-sanitised portrait of life experiences that we will encounter in our trip. This approach will also open the range of people we will engage with as we travel through Chile, Peru and Argentina. We will place special emphasis on important archaeological sites, impressive glaciers and natural parks, but also pay attention to moments of political upheaval and the traces they left in the different cities and landscapes in these tree countries.
Citizen-Led Glaciology
Political and economic initiatives that deploy scientific arguments and methods to advance —and justify—their business interests, while adhering to existing environmental regulations are central to mining projects, and state sponsored policies for water regulation and environmental protection. However, the fact that they follow existing legal frameworks and use scientific methods, does not mean environmental impact analysis are fair or attuned to the harm they produce to local communities. In some instances like the case of Bronces Integrado mining project in Santiago de Chile economic interests over-rule scientific advice and local communities’ wellbeing. Through workshops, participatory research and digital collaborative mapping (Inventa software developed by Steve Palmer, PI) we will co-develop the necessary frameworks, governance principles and scientific practices that can help us develop a citizen-led glaciology. In short science that is truly by the people, and for the people that seek protect glaciers in the Andes. In practical terms that means: • A community-led approach to improve transparency and sustainability. •Aim to move from contributory citizen science (non-formal experts are just data providers) to citizen-led science (science governance and design in which non-experts fully participate). To achieve this a transdisciplinary and participatory research approach is vital. Involving local stakeholders ensures data collection continues, but also is geared towards justice. •Research is developed in partnership with affected communities. Supported by social science throughout. •Aim to create a community of practice across academic institutions, grassroots organisations, and different regions in Chile. Sharing best practice within Chile (and beyond!) and potentially expanding methodologies.
Contact Us
Address
Amory Building,
Exeter University
​EX4 4RJ
Department of Geography and Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy and Anthropology.
Contact
​Principal Investigator
Co-investigator
Postdoctoral Researcher (from January 2026)
Mrs Ellie Fox
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Funded by: UKRI Global Partnerships Seedcorn fund. Project title: Glacier retreat, water quality and climate justice: from citizen science to citizen-led science in Chile (APP36424).
NERC