Climate Crisis

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Watch this sampling that showcases how unscripted television is highlighting sustainability and climate-related topics.

Read the full report on the status of #ClimateChange on Television from the Media Impact Project, “Climate Unscripted: The Reality of Climate Change and Sustainability Solutions in Unscripted TV“

I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.
Greta Thunberg, climate activist

Short Film Contest

“Independence from Plastic” Short Film Contest Winners

The “Independence from Plastic: A ‘micro’ plastic-free film contest” challenged filmmakers to show us their positive vision of a plastic-free future in micro films of 60 seconds or less.

Short Film Contest

“Plastic Kills!” Short Film Contest Winners

Hollywood, Health & Society (HH&S) and Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) began accepting submissions for “Plastic Kills!”—a horror short film competition.

on site

Plastic Pollution Toxic Tour

On June 13, 2023, we organized a bus tour with Plastic Pollution Coalition for television and film writers to take a “Toxic Tour” of fossil fuel and plastic pollution sites across Los Angeles, California.

Study

Where’s Hollywood?

A Norman Lear Center study analyzed 37,453 TV and film scripts and found that only 2.8% had any mention of climate change topics.

Must Read

Plastic Pollution

The Lear Center examined 32 scripted TV shows for prevalence of single-use plastics—and found them awash with plastic pollution.

The Big Drought

The Forecast: Dry

The Western U.S. is in the midst of a severe drought, and it may get worse. Worldwide, drought is a widespread natural catastrophe.

Must Read

Reshaping the World

How is climate change reshaping the world? The most drastic impacts on the planet are disproportionately affecting poorer countries.

Learn More

An Eco-Friendly Blueprint

The UN’s blueprint to achieve a better future addresses climate change, poverty, inequality and justice. Learn more and take action.

Find Out More

Resources

Our climate resources page includes fact sheets on the Paris climate accord and Department of Defense risk assessments.

Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

Doomsday Clock

The world faces two heightened existential threats: climate change and nuclear war. Find out the current time on the Doomsday Clock.

Take Steps

Join the Fight

Join millions of people from around the world taking steps to protect what they love from the impact of climate change.

Climate Emergency Tip Sheets

The Plastic Pollution Crisis

Around 380 million metric tons of plastic is being produced annually, and most of it does not get recycled. Over half of that plastic is intended to be used once and thrown away, but virtually every piece of plastic that was ever made still exists in some form—affecting human health (including reproductive health), and raising issues of environmental justice.

Plastic Pollution Solutions

Plastic production is expected to quadruple by 2050, compounding waste levels and climate effects. By raising awareness, modeling reusable behaviors on TV and greening sets, entertainment can play a pivotal role in helping audiences envision a world free from single-use plastics.

What You Can Do

There are lots of positive ways to contribute to a cleaner, greener world. Every step, no matter what size, makes a difference. It all adds up, and the more who participate the closer we get to a critical mass.

The Begley-Cohen Test

Plastic is an epidemic. Film and TV have the power to model a path towards a plastic-free future. Plastic Pollution Coalition has created a simple test for on-screen entertainment: The Begley-Cohen Test

America’s Water Crisis

The Western part of the United States is in the midst of the most extreme drought in 1,200 years, and science indicates that things are only going to get worse.

Home Water Conservation

You’re renovating a home. Congratulations! The fixer-upper or specific room has been chosen, the price point debated, the couples (or you!) have made their compromises, and most importantly, the studio (or spouse) has greenlit the project. Now is your chance to make a difference, so consider these water saving choices in our tip sheet.

Environmental Injustice

Black, brown and indigenous people suffer more from environmental injustice in the U.S. They are more likely to live in nature-deprived areas, suffer higher incidences of long-term illness from living near industrial hazards, and ethnic minority students bear the brunt of exposure to toxic pollutants at their schools.