“Why Narrative Matters in the Fight Against Climate Change” – A conversation with Sammy Roth
On January 9, the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) and the Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment co-sponsored a thought-provoking conversation with climate journalist Sammy Roth (@climatecoloredgoggles) on the power of climate change narratives and their deep connections to culture.
The discussion featured Roth—an award-winning journalist and former Los Angeles Times climate columnist whose work explores the intersection of climate and culture—alongside Professor Ursula Heise, LENS Director Jon Christensen, and PhD candidate Emma Barnosky. A central question guided their conversation: Why isn’t the needle moving on climate action? Roth grappled with this challenge by examining what he sees as essential for progress in an era of extreme polarization—culture.
From Hollywood films to sports, music, and public parks, the conversation highlighted how climate change and clean energy remain largely absent from the stories that shape popular culture. To trace the roots of these narratives is to examine the substantive stories that climate change provokes and has implications in, such as in sports, music, and parks.
Panelists also addressed concerns around affordability, noting that many policymakers respond to economic anxieties even when those responses conflict with sustainability goals. For scholars and universities, the discussion underscored the need for stronger communication between researchers, journalists, and social media platforms to translate ideas and solutions into real-world policy outcomes. While meaningful progress will always involve tradeoffs, the panel emphasized the importance of maintaining hope—recognizing that making the planet less warm is still far better than allowing it to grow increasingly warmer.
The conversation concluded with a reflection on humor as a valuable tool for easing political tensions and opening space for more productive dialogue.
This event will also be featured on the LENS podcast, Changing Stories for a Changing Planet.
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