The Cloud Mystery


The Cloud Mystery is a documentary by Danish director Lars Oxfeldt Mortensen. It explores the published theory by Danish scientist Henrik Svensmark on how galactic cosmic rays and solar activity affects cloud cover, and how this influences the earth's climate. Also known as Klimamysteriet in Danish.
This documentary presents the work done to develop the theory that cloud cover change is caused by variations in cosmic rays as the major originator of global climate variation. It also mentions that these scientist do not subscribe to the view that human influence and the effect of greenhouse gases as significant drivers of climate. However, the focus is on the work they have done and not on the majority view about anthropogenic global warming.

Release

The Cloud Mystery aired on TV2 in early 2008. It was also shown on Norway's NRK and on TV4 Fakta, and on Arte in Germany.

Opinions

engineering trade weekly Ingenøren found that the documentary gave a sober overview of Henrik Svensmarks theory, though it lacked scientific criticism.
The documentary sparked a debate between supporters and critics of the IPCC view that carbon dioxide is the prime cause of global warming. However, the scientific results of Svensmark and Nir Shaviv, two of the protagonists, forming the basis of the documentary, have been criticized by Mike Lockwood and Claus Froehlich.