Bill Nye the Climate Guy

How is a bird like an airplane? Why does your hair stand on end when you’re charged with static electricity? Science educator Bill Nye answered questions like these using wacky sound effects, lab demonstrations, and goofy music videos on his beloved show, Bill Nye the Science Guy. The 1990s TV show taught a generation of kids that science could be as nifty as Nye's signature bow ties. Now, Nye is hoping that magic will work again when it comes to convincing people to take action on climate change.

On July 13 filmmakers David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg, who grew up watching Nye's show, launched a Kickstarter to fund their proposed documentary following Nye as he advocates for fighting climate change, as well as the importance of science and space exploration. Alvarado and Sussberg plan to document Nye’s upcoming international tour on which he’ll debate deniers of climate change, launch a solar-powered spacecraft, talk with astrophysicist and fellow science nerd Neil deGrasse Tyson, and more. The team has already exceeded its $650,000 Kickstarter goal and hopes to complete production by 2017.

Nye still uses his goofy charisma (including a newfound affinity for emojis) to teach people about science, but his tone has taken on a new urgency when it comes to climate change. He's offered himself up as a science hero of sorts, debating climate change denialists on major TV news networks including CNN and MSNBC. He even joined President Barack Obama when he spoke about climate change in Everglades National Park on Earth Day 2015.

“Ninety-seven, going on 98 percent of the world’s scientists are concerned about climate change,” Nye says in a promo for the film. "Why aren't you?"

Here's hoping the magic of film can convince more people to join Nye on his quest to change the world.

You can learn more about how our warming world affects birds by reading Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report.