Filmmaker Adam McKay joins climate scientist Chris Turney to discuss his film 'Don't Look Up' as an environmental allegory and the power of humor in addressing the climate crisis. They talk about the prevalence of climate change misinformation, the French process and its impact, and the importance of storytelling and activism in fighting climate disinformation and inaction.
Storytelling and humor can be powerful tools to raise awareness about the climate crisis and cut through misinformation.
Reframing the language we use to talk about climate change, such as using terms like 'global heating' or 'climate crisis,' can generate a sense of urgency and inspire action.
Deep dives
Adam McKay's journey from filmmaker to climate activist
Adam McKay, renowned filmmaker and activist, shares his journey from making movies to becoming a climate activist. He discusses how his film, 'Don't Look Up,' served as an environmental allegory and shed light on the urgency of the climate crisis. McKay emphasizes the power of storytelling and humor in bringing people together and creating awareness. Inspired by his experiences, he founded Yellow Dot Studios, a nonprofit production studio that fights climate disinformation and aims to educate the public about the science and the villains behind climate inaction. He encourages individuals to get involved in non-violent protests and use their voices to demand real change on climate issues.
The need to reframe the climate crisis
This segment highlights the importance of reframing the way we talk about climate change. Activist Maggie Bear suggests abandoning the term 'climate change' and using terms like 'global heating' or 'climate crisis' instead. She explains how the term 'climate change' was strategically chosen to downplay the urgency of the problem. By using accurate and impactful language, we can better communicate the severity of the issue and generate a sense of urgency for action. Reframing the climate crisis through storytelling and accurate terminology can help engage people and inspire them to take meaningful steps towards addressing the problem.
The power of storytelling and collective action
Adam McKay emphasizes the power of storytelling and its ability to engage and mobilize people to address the climate crisis. By infusing the story of climate change into his films, he hopes to reach diverse audiences and create different entry points for understanding the urgency of the issue. McKay also highlights research by Erica Chenoweth, suggesting that when at least 3.5% of the population participates in non-violent protests, regime change can be achieved. He encourages individuals to join non-violent, disruptive marches and stand up for climate action. McKay believes that collective action, informed by accurate storytelling, can drive meaningful change and help us address the climate crisis.
Filmmaker Adam McKay joins climate scientist Chris Turney to share how—inspired by the urgency of the climate crisis—he used humor in his film, "Don't Look Up" to get people talking about the climate and cut through the misinformation.Show notes from Chris:
Want to find out more about the early – and accurate – climate science work of fossil fuel companies and how they went on to deny the science and delay action on cutting carbon pollution? Check out this excellent summary about how Exxon disputed climate findings for years.
To learn more about the “3.5% rule,” here’s an excellent BBC article about how a small minority can change the world!
In light of the climate emergency, Adam McKay has decided to shelve his film about the serial killer lobbying the government to legalize murder to focus on movies related to the climate crisis.