A New Era of Climate - Driven Storytelling Is Here And Companies Should Jump On Board

Climate change narratives are proving to be commercially successful, contrary to the beliefs of some marketers and executives. This summer s sold-out theater run of the tornado thriller Twisters and the re-release of Christopher Nolan s Interstellar in December, set against a backdrop of catastrophic weather patterns, demonstrate the public s interest in climate-related storytelling. Humans unique ability to imagine and evolve through storytelling can be harnessed to address climate change, captivating audiences and potentially leading to transformative change. Organizations like Grist, Drilled, Daughters for Earth, the Environmental Media Association (EMA), and Creatives for Climate are at the forefront of this movement, using various forms of storytelling to engage and educate audiences on climate issues. The EMA Impact Summit, for example, brought together industry leaders to discuss integrating sustainability into entertainment. Creatives for Climate, founded by Lucy Von Sturmer, is a network and membership platform for creative climate action, with over 40,000 members. The organization emphasizes the power of influence and persuasion in scaling solutions to environmental challenges. Amy Westervelt s Drilled, an investigative climate news platform, and the Hummingbird Effect Campaign by Daughters for Earth, which sends graphic novels to donors, are examples of how climate-positive practices can be communicated through creative storytelling. The EMA Awards, which celebrate environmental storytelling and sustainable production, and Grist s annual climate fiction short story contest, showcase the growing interest in climate-driven narratives. Overall, companies can leverage creative storytelling to promote their climate pledges and nature journeys, setting themselves apart from accusations of greenwashing and potentially increasing consumer loyalty. By combining human-centered and creative stories with nature-positive practices, businesses can effectively communicate their commitment to addressing climate change.

Source: rollingstone.com
Published on 2024-09-11