We humans are a force of nature. At the same time, human activities alter the basic elements of life – earth, air, water, and fire – those elements change human life.

In this riveting and visually rich drama blending art and science, we follow renowned National Geographic photographer James Balog as he explores wildfires, hurricanes, sea level rise, a struggling coal mining community, and our changing air supply. With rare compassion and heart, THE HUMAN ELEMENT highlights Americans on the front lines of climate change, inspiring us to re-evaluate our relationship with the natural world.

Join UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the Tahoe Film Fest team for the National Geographic film THE HUMAN ELEMENT. Internationally acclaimed, award-winning photographer James Balog will introduce the film and answer questions together with moderator Geoffrey Schladow, director of UC Davis TERC. For 35 years, photographer James Balog has broken new conceptual and artistic ground on one of the most important issues of our era: human modification of our planet’s natural systems. He and his Extreme Ice Survey team are featured in the 2012 internationally-acclaimed, Emmy-award-winning documentary CHASING ICE and in the PBS/NOVA special, Extreme Ice. He is the author of ICE: Portraits of Vanishing Glaciers and seven other books.

Suggested Donation $10 in advance, $15 at the door. All proceeds from this event benefit the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center. Please register for your seat at http://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/

JAMES BALOG – WRITER/FILM SUBJECT

For 35 years, photographer James Balog has broken new conceptual and artistic ground on one of the most important issues of our era: human modification of our planet’s natural systems. He and his Extreme Ice Survey team are featured in the 2012 internationally-acclaimed, Emmy-award-winning documentary CHASING ICE and in the PBS/NOVA special, Extreme Ice. He is the author of ICE: Portraits of Vanishing Glaciers and seven other books.