Review of Climate Content Day: Reflections on climate storytelling in entertainment media
On March 27, 2025, the first Climate Content Day took place at ZHdK. The Cast / Audiovisual Media department had specifically invited the film and media industry, but unexpectedly attracted many participants from the fields of climate research and communication. In presentations and panels with high-profile speakers, it became clear that climate stories not only inform, but can also trigger emotions and motivate.
Around 120 participants from the fields of climate science, media, culture, and communication gathered at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich to discuss how climate change can be communicated in an audiovisual and, above all, entertaining way. In addition to the day's program, student projects from Cast / Audiovisual Media and research projects from Knowledge Visualization were presented in a small exhibition in the hall.
ETH climate researcher Dr. Michael Windisch kicked off the day by illustrating the current situation: in Switzerland, warming is twice as high as the global average. The knowledge is there – now concrete measures are needed. Shaping visions of the future plays a crucial role in this. Kathrin Dellantonio, Managing Director of Myclimate Switzerland, presented current examples and strategies from climate communication.
Lucy Stone, founder of the British organization «Climate Spring», spoke of a crisis of imagination. She said there is a lack of stories that think positively about the future and show concrete scope for action. Such content is also hardly visible in pop culture. In addition to worldbuilding, she sees a lot of potential in stories about climate justice and transformation.
Director Lars Jessen and Nicole Zabel-Wassmuth from Germany are calling for more climate relevance in fictional content with their initiative «Planet Narratives» – not as an additional theme, but as a natural part of the narrative world.
Lars Jessen applies this attitude directly in his films and series. In addition, the Planet Narratives team advises TV stations on how to integrate climate references into existing formats in an accessible way.
Communication scientist Prof. Dr. Irene Neverla showed in her research that only 0.6% of fictional TV content in Germany deals with climate issues. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they would like to learn more about climate change on television – but in a different way, not moralizing and solution-oriented.
Paolina Stefani (filmmaker and freelancer for Earthrise Studio) emphasized the role of design and visual language: Good design can make complex content understandable and emotionally accessible – especially in digital formats and social media. The work of Earthrise Studio is based on a clear guiding principle:
«Stories shape cultures, cultures shape values, values shape leaders, policy – and ultimately systems.»
Climate researcher and comedian Matt Winning provided an unusual perspective. He proved that it is okay – and perhaps even necessary – to laugh about the crisis. With his dry British humor, he gave the audience food for thought. His conclusion: «Make it personal. Make it funny. Make it hopeful.»
The event concluded with three practical examples from Switzerland: an explanatory video series by «Republik,» various productions by the western Swiss companies «Nous Prod» and «La Souris Verte» and the documentary film «Aiming High» by Zurich directors Alun Meyerhans and Flavio Gerber.
The most important takeaways from the symposium:
– Storytelling can make facts more powerful
– Use hope instead of fear as a narrative strategy
– Humor and lightheartedness make climate issues more accessible
– It is essential to connect the audience emotionally to climate issues
– The climate crisis is also a narrative crisis – new narratives and images are needed
– Fictional films play a key role
– Climate change does not have to be the main focus, but should be included and integrated into the story, thus reflecting our reality.
The feedback on Climate Content Day was very positive. Participants from a wide range of disciplines – including people who have been working in climate communication for many years – reported that they gained new perspectives and valuable insights.
