Mongabay Newscast How to change harmful narratives about nature and society
Jul 15, 2025
Tsering Yangzom Lama, a story manager at Greenpeace International and author of 'We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies', discusses the power of narratives in shaping our society. She delves into how dominant narratives favor the wealthy and harm the planet, advocating for reframing discussions to promote love and solidarity with nature. Lama emphasizes the importance of storytelling over rational arguments to create impactful conversations. She also shares insights on the representation of displaced communities and the need for holistic approaches to development and environmental preservation.
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Dominant Narratives Sustain Status Quo
- Dominant narratives support the status quo benefiting a small minority while harming the majority and the environment.
- They often seem invisible because they're so ingrained in society's beliefs and systems.
Challenging Human-Nature Separation
- The harmful dominant narrative separates humans from nature and treats natural resources as commodities.
- Recognizing deep interconnection with nature can lead to valuing and preserving ecosystems inherently.
Fear vs Love in Narratives
- Dominant narratives often use fear, division, and hatred to manipulate people.
- True social movements stem from love, connection, and shared humanity, rather than fear and anger.
