The Climate Pod

The Hidden Climate Crisis In Pop Culture (w/ Mark Bould)

Jul 29, 2025
Mark Bould, a Professor of Film and Literature at the University of the West of England, dives deep into the hidden relationship between pop culture and the climate crisis. He reveals how films and literature subtly weave in climate themes, from the shocking absurdities of Sharknado to the cultural implications found in sci-fi like Arrival and World War Z. Bould encourages us to rethink narratives and their role in shaping our understanding of environmental issues, highlighting the importance of storytelling in addressing societal anxieties surrounding climate change.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Mark's Sci-Fi Roots

  • Mark Bould shares how his science fiction interest started from childhood TV and comics in the 70s and 80s.
  • Public libraries and lack of cultural pressure encouraged his lifelong passion for the genre.
INSIGHT

Rethink Climate in Fiction

  • Stopping assumptions that a text isn't about climate change reveals hidden, symbolic climate themes.
  • This approach, inspired by queer theory, allows more nuanced readings beyond literal climate fiction.
INSIGHT

Zombie Films Mirror Climate Fears

  • Zombie films symbolically process climate refugee anxieties and survival during resource crises.
  • They reflect cultural shifts towards alienation and readiness to abandon humanity under stress.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app