Wildfires in California, floods in Spain and the Ardennes, Hurricane Hélène leaving a trail of destruction across the United States… The climate record of 2024 is devastating: the hottest year ever recorded, with 219 officially registered weather disasters and thousands of victims.
Wildfires in California, floods in Spain and the Ardennes, Hurricane Hélène leaving a trail of destruction across the United States… The climate record of 2024 is devastating: the hottest year ever recorded, with 219 officially registered weather disasters and thousands of victims.
And yet, in an endless stream of fake news, most people seem to have lost track of reality. How sick – or healthy – is our climate? What is fact, and what is fiction?
In 2050, we travel to the most remote place on Earth: Antarctica. A world of ice, wind, and absolute silence. But also a world that is now crying out louder than ever. Because to truly understand the state of our planet, we must go to the place where the impact of climate change is most acute.
"The pace at which Antarctica is melting is unprecedented. Some people worry about their garage being flooded for a day. We must realize that these symptoms are not temporary but permanent. The melted ice water is moving fast, at an alarming rate." — Eric Rignot, International Glaciologist & Founder of NISAR (NASA)
With award-winning documentary filmmaker Eric Goens as our guide and legendary polar explorer Alain Hubert — founder of the International Polar Foundation (IPF) and leader of the research expeditions that take place at the Belgian Princess Elisabeth Station — as our compass, 2050 offers a raw and confronting look at the heart of scientific climate research. We follow dozens of scientists to Antarctica and join them in the search for sustainable solutions.
"We are the first generation to both understand the problem and know the solution," says Eric Goens. "It is our duty to protect this planet from even greater disasters. We owe it to all the generations that will come after us." — Eric Goens
“Science is our compass in navigating the future of our planet. If we truly want to preserve Earth, we need to invest in polar research — especially in Antarctica, where the delicate equilibrium of our planet's climate hangs in the balance. History has shown us the power of international collaboration, from Belgium’s pioneering Antarctic expedition of Adrien de Gerlache in 1897, to the world’s first zero-emission research station, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica. Today, as we embark on designing the next generation of zero-emission research station, the Andromeda Earth Observatory, we must embrace the knowledge science provides and take responsibility for the choices that will define our future.”
— Alain Hubert, President and Founder of the International Polar Foundation
The project is proudly supported by Syensqo, a pioneer in science and sustainability. "125 years ago, our founder Ernest Solvay backed the groundbreaking Antarctic expedition of Adrien de Gerlache. Today, we continue that same commitment," says Dr. Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo.
After a warm reception at the Ostend Film Festival, where it was named one of the audience favorites, 2050 is now preparing for its official cinema release on March 5th.
But the mission goes beyond the big screen. This documentary aims for an international audience—because the future starts here. And the clock is ticking.
2050 – In Belgian cinemas from March 5th!
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