We need rapid and urgent action now to address the climate, nature and justice crisis. Meaningful change and action will happen if rooted in the understanding that:
Climate change is a systemic issue, interconnected with social, political and economic factors, all of which drive its causes and effects.
We are overexploiting and damaging the ecosystems upon which we depend and losing biodiversity at an unprecedented rate. Climate change leads to biodiversity losses, which in turn leads to further climate change. We cannot solve one without the other.
The climate and nature crisis disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities, those least responsible and less equipped to adapt to its consequences. Its impacts exacerbate the inequity and injustices in which this crisis is rooted. As such, climate justice needs to be an integral part of climate action.
What is…
Mitigation:
Avoiding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptation & Resilience:
Adapting and responding to the impacts of the changing climate, and building resilience to future changes.
Loss & Damage:
The consequences of climate change beyond what can be adapted to.
Climate Justice:
Climate Justice is a framework for addressing climate change based on the recognition that it disproportionately impacts the most disadvantaged and least responsible people and places, and multiplies existing social and economic injustices, and that we must address this inequity and social justice in our climate change solutions. Climate justice is deeply connected to racial justice, gender and disability, labour rights, land justice, the rights of nature, and environmental justice. This intersectionality must be recognised and addressed to ensure that responses to climate change do not lead to greater inequalities and injustices.
Our Role
The creative and cultural community has a unique and crucial role to play in acting on the climate, nature and justice crisis. The essence of who we think we are – cultural values, narratives, identities, myths and metaphors – are captured in artistic and cultural expressive forms, and located in cultural practice and places. Transforming cultural place and practice to meet the scale of this emergency with energy and inspiration can have an exponentially powerful effect far beyond our immediate environment.
The screen sector must take meaningful positive action on the climate, nature and justice crisis. It is crucial it adapts, builds resilience, and responds to the concerns of its audiences and communities, telling stories which help them understand why it is so important to act, and showing how we can do it. The BFI already recognises this, as evidenced by the inclusion of environmental sustainability as one of three principles which underpin its Screen Culture 2033 strategy and its National Lottery Strategy 2023-2033. Read more about BFI’s environmental sustainability principle here and its declaration on climate and ecological emergency here.
86% of cultural audiences are worried about the climate crisis, and 72% think cultural organisations have a responsibility to influence society about the climate emergency.
— Indigo Act Green Report 2024
Scene setting: Resources
BFI Sustainable Screen Climate Literacy
The causes and consequences of the climate, nature and justice crisis and what the screen sector can do to affect meaningful, positive change.
What to focus on across key types of screen sector activity ‘beyond production’: exhibitors; screen archives; education, skills and training providers, and; sector support and promotion bodies.
