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National Geographic announced today the airing of its brand-new documentary on climate change, THE LAST ICE, whichtells the story ofthe Inuit communities fighting to protect the rapidly disappearing Arctic that has been their home for centuries. Scientific projections forecast the total disappearance of summer sea ice in the Arctic — the critical cooling system of our planet — by as early as 2040.

The feature documentarypremieres on National Geographic October 17 at 11pm UAE time/10pm KSA time.

Filmed over four years and featuring interviews with Inuit community leaders, traditional hunters, activists and youth, THE LAST ICEhas screened at film festivals around the world, including Movies that Matter and Mountainfilm.

As the sea ice between Canada and Greenland melts, the outside world sees unprecedented opportunity. Oil and gas deposits, faster shipping routes, tourism and fishing all provide financial incentive to exploit the newly opened waters. But for more than 100,000 Inuit who live in the Arctic, on and around the frozen ocean, an entire way of life is at stake. Development here threatens to upset the balance between their communities, land and wildlife, leaving the future of this region and their cultureincreasingly uncertain. Today, Inuit in Canada and Greenland are once again coming together, fighting to protect what will remain of their homeland as the ice melts. The question is, will the world listen?

THE LAST ICE is directed by Scott Ressler and executive produced by Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and founder of National Geographic Pristine Seas, “The melting of the Arctic sea ice has profoundconsequences on all levels—from local to global and ecological to cultural” said executive producer Dr. Sala. “My hope with THE LAST ICE is to shine a light on theresilient Inuit communities who arefighting against climate change, as theirlivelihoodand culture are threatened by the dramatically transforming Arctic.”

“National Geographicis deeply committed to inspiring and informing peopleabout the importance of protecting our planet,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president, global scripted content and documentary films at National Geographic Partners. “We are thrilled to showcase the work of Dr. Enric Sala, one of the foremost champions of our natural world, and share with our viewersthis crucial mission and the important stories of the Inuit communities in THE LAST ICE.”

THE LAST ICEis part of a global, cross-platform celebration of the work of National Geographic Pristine Seas, aproject of the National Geographic Society that aims to help protect the ocean’s last wild places.