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To mark the end of the global climate conference COP26 that took place earlier this year, we are taking a look at Hollywood’s recent history of turning eco anxiety into entertainment. And asking ourselves whether the emerging genre of climate fiction – or “cli-fi” – can play a positive role in the fight against climate change?
Nowadays, most people accept that climate change is real and consider it a major threat to our futures. Yet many of us continue our high-carbon lifestyles and hope for the best. So why don’t we get our butts off the couch and take action?
Research suggests it comes down to a failure of imagination. Climate change is mostly invisible. Yes, we can see the immediate effects such as more regular heatwaves, floods and storms. But we cannot see CO2 or feel changes in average global temperature.
So might Hollywood movies about climate change help us “see” global warming? And can films, novels and maybe even art inspire us to take action – even as we relax on that comfy couch?