Climate action through the power of storytelling
To change our perspectives for a net-zero future, we need guidance that is personal and relatable. Storytelling has the power to provide clear visions for new behaviours and climate action.
When you imagine the future, what does it look like?
To motivate climate action and behaviour change, discussing the future is vital, and storytelling is key for us to succeed. But why is that? Two important take aways from an article by Matthew Hoffmann, Professor of Political Science and Co-Director of Environmental Governance Lab highlights how:
Scenarios outlined through literary fiction makes climate futures more personal and avoids discussions and goals turning abstract, which can increase our ability to imagine new possibilities, and putting ourselves in the shoes of others.
Without these concrete visions, we will not be motivated to change our behaviour or have the guidance to make decisions for the future.
A great example is the initiative from the Environmental Governance Lab at the University of Toronto: “We did it!?“. In the fictional magazine, they tell stories about Canada 27 years from now, and how the country achieved its net-zero emission goals. Through human stories, poetry, movie reviews and much more, the storytelling allows today’s readers to reflect on fears and hopes for the future.
Find the full article here, and browse the amazing “We did it!?” magazine here.