THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
Three natural scientists watch as climate change throws their research off course. Instead of discovering nature’s wonders, they now chronicle its collapse. Like it or not, the moment to act has arrived.
Ever since childhood, Maria, Sebastian and Nana dreamed of studying the eternal ice of the Arctic, exploring outer space and understanding the origins of life. Today, Maria holds a doctorate in glaciology and studies ice that’s thousands of years old at the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven. Sebastian, a professor of physical chemistry, teaches and investigates polymers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, while Nana, who has a doctorate in molecular biology, studies cancer cell growth at Berlin’s Charité hospital. But their work is overshadowed by the realities of climate change. As natural scientists, they are expected to be objective – to prioritise facts over feelings. But how can they remain professionally detached when the fragile ecosystem they study is the planet they call home? When the bleak future their models predict is their children’s future? The film follows these three scientists as they step out of their comfort zones and become activists. Sebastian speaks out on panels and public squares. Maria takes off her thermal gear and gets involved in local politics. And Nana launches Scientist Rebellion Germany. All three embrace their social responsibility – because they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.