Our Planet: The Deafening Absence of Climate Themes in Cinema

In recent years, we have seen an exciting surge of films, boldly exploring new, inclusive themes and powerful, unprecedented stories. In an array of recent cinematic narratives, a noticeable void persists – a lack of climate representations that reflect the urgency of environmental issues. While the early 2010s witnessed a surge in apocalyptic themes, depicting catastrophic futures wrought by climate change, the subsequent silence on this critical subject within mainstream cinema is striking. The cinematic landscape that once painted dystopian scenarios now appears to shy away from engaging with one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

The early 2010s were marked by a cinematic inundation of apocalyptic narratives, depicting worlds ravaged by climate-related catastrophes. From rising sea levels to extreme weather events, filmmakers painted vivid and terrifying pictures of potential futures. However, this wave of climate-themed storytelling has since receded, leaving a cinematic void that fails to reflect the gravity of our current environmental predicament.

Cinema has long served as a refuge for audiences seeking escapism, explaining the retreat from climate narratives may stem from a collective desire to distance ourselves from the all-too-real scenarios portrayed on screen. The fear-inducing images of environmental collapse may have become too real, prompting audiences to seek solace in alternate narratives. With the recent popularity of Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, we can see how aesthetics of old money and escape fantasy of excess and consumerism.

While an excess of fear-inducing imagery might rob people of agency and plunge them into a sense of hopelessness. However, the absence of such narratives is equally perilous, the cinematic silence on climate issues is not without consequence. It deprives audiences of a vital tool for processing climate anxiety and navigating the complex emotions and coming into grips with our very present reality.

Despite concerns about overwhelming audiences, cinema has an immense potential to serve as a space for processing climate anxiety. It allows viewers to confront their fears, grapple with the realities of environmental degradation, and, ultimately, mobilise their emotions into meaningful action. The power of storytelling lies not just in depicting the grim consequences but in offering pathways for resilience, adaptation, and hope.

The lack of climate themes in cinema represents a missed opportunity to engage audiences in the most pressing conversation of our era and one holding the most potential for meaningful change and healing. The recent retreat does not align with the escalating climate crisis and prevents communities, especially young people gaining a meaningful space for collective action. Cinematic narratives have the potential to inspire change, foster resilience, and ignite a sense of responsibility, giving audiences agency and power to confront the environmental challenges that define our time.

Thanks for reading Nia’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.