How Yellow Dot Studios is changing the climate narrative.
By
Trent Wolbe
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In case you’ve been ignoring the news lately (and we wouldn’t blame you!), we wanted to let you know, gently, that the Oscars are on Sunday. We won’t be offering any predictions for this particular international extravaganza, but we will take a moment to reflect upon a group using the magic of film to do something more than a little compelling to shove the world in the right direction on climate change.
Yellow Dot Studios, a non-profit media studio founded by Academy Award-winning writer and director Adam McKay, is leading the charge for a more impactful Hollywood. Known for films like "Don't Look Up" and "The Big Short," McKay established Yellow Dot to combat climate disinformation and inspire action through compelling digital media.
By prioritizing engaging, scientifically accurate narratives, McKay and his team challenge decades of disinformation propagated by fossil fuel companies and their affiliates. Yellow Dot’s approach ensures that climate communication is not only informative but also entertaining, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Take their "More Flames" project, a comedy-satire featuring Phoebe Dynevor, Amar Chadha-Patel, and Bella Ramsey. This piece explores (hilariously) the challenges of discussing existential threats, aiming to inspire the film and television industry to rethink their doomism narratives and harness the power of on-screen storytelling for climate awareness.
Another of their projects, "The Extreme Weather Report", is a series that highlights recent climate-related events to raise awareness about the tangible impacts of climate change.
Yellow Dot doesn't just stop at creating impactful content; they actively mobilize their audience toward tangible actions. Their Action page offers resources and guidance on how people can contribute to climate solutions, emphasizing local engagement and visible activism.
The entertainment industry is America’s most powerful export. The stories we tell shape how we see the world, what we value, and what we believe is possible. So as the world watches the Oscars this weekend, let’s remember that Hollywood has a unique opportunity to drive real climate action—both in the stories it tells and the way those stories are made.
Oh! And it doesn’t hurt that Yellow Dot are official Friends of Harvest. They joined us at SF Climate Week last year. Relive the magic of the (fake) oil executives at Cobell Energy today as a healthy appetizer to Sunday’s shenanigans.
The transition to a more sustainable world isn’t just about policy and technology—it’s about culture, creativity, and the way we imagine what’s next.
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