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Climate Clips Archive

We’re thrilled to see the growing number and diversity of climate mentions showing up in film and TV, from comedy to drama to science fiction. Many of these moments are in content that people wouldn’t normally recognize as being “climate-oriented,” and yet they’re doing vital work to seed our media ecosystem with climate-friendly behaviors and themes, which can help to build new social norms and inspire audiences at home.

These moments also demonstrate that climate can fit seamlessly into all genres and formats, in big ways and small – as a supporting beat, a funny aside, a secondary story, or even as the “inciting incident” that sparks a hero’s journey.

We’re excited to continue growing this library – taking a moment to showcase the creative excellence of our community and celebrate the efforts of Hollywood to solve the climate crisis.

We hope these clips can inspire you in the way they have inspired us. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the mentions out there, and we invite you to help us build this library.

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Even if we eliminated fossil fuel emissions today, we would still have to change the way we eat to tackle the climate crisis—there’s no getting around it. And, if we succeed, the payoff is huge: a shift to plant-rich diets could stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years.

And Just Like That – The Last Supper Part One: Appetizer

Season 2, Episode 10
5:07-5:54
Max
Episode Credits

What’s happening: In the follow-up to Sex and the City, the always-chic women of And Just Like That are brunching at a plant-based New York hot spot. The restaurant is buzzy and the food looks delicious – the women even sing high praise to the zucchini chips. 

What we like: The Sex and the City universe has set trends before – cosmos, anyone? This time, the women playfully poke fun at the “ladies who lunch” trope but remind themselves that they’re brunching vegan…so it’s modern, updated, and en vogue. Not only that, but they compliment the food – reminding audiences that vegan food can be delicious too. 

Tags:
Behaviors: Plant-Rich Diet
Type: Characters & Storylines Supporting
Character: Core Character
Genre: Drama
Mood / Tone: Light-hearted
Behavioral Principle: Aspiration Makes Behavior Attractive

The Politician – Hail Mary

Season 2, Episode 4
Time code: 35:44 – 36:19
Netflix
Episode Credits

What’s happening: The wife of a Senator who is running for President wakes from a multi-year coma and is holding a press conference. Despite the seriousness of the situation, in the context of the show, this is a notably comedic moment. 

What we like: This scene inverts the outdated trope of making the vegan character or the vegan dish the butt of the joke. Instead, we see a humorous moment where a favorable and sympathetic character gets to say “never accept a pulled pork taco” and does so in a way that is humorous and integrated into the wider storyline.

Tags:
Behaviors: Plant-Based Diet;
Type: Funny; Dialogue; Secondary Storyline;
Character: Supporting character
Genre: Comedy Drama
Mood: serious but light

Doogie Kamealoha – Mythological Creatures

Season 2, Episode 2
Time Code: 8:33 – 8:55
Disney+
Episode Credits

What’s happening: In this clip, Lahela Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) is visiting her hot surfer boyfriend Walter (Alex Aiono) after he got back from a surf tour in Australia. She discovers that he and his team have gone vegan for training. 

What we like: This clip is a great example of how climate-friendly behaviors like eating plant-based can be shown in a positive way through a likable character. In this case, the characters are eating plant-based for health reasons. Many of the behaviors that are good for the environment can be introduced outside of the context of sustainability like health, racial justice, and financial reasons. 

Tags:
Behaviors: Plant-based
Type: Climate Cameo
Character: Supporting Character
Genre:Comedy-drama
Mood: Awkward interaction

Sweet Magnolias – The More Things Change

Season 2, Episode 3
Time Code: 6:53 – 7:40
Netflix
Episode Credits

What’s happening: Chef and restaurant owner Dana Sue (Brooke Elliot) and hunky farmer Jeremy Reynolds (Chase Anderson) are interviewing food suppliers; they flirtatiously bicker over the candidates, and Jeremy advocates for more plant-based menu items at the restaurant. 

What we like: Dana Sue initially recoils at the thought of soybeans (a realistic response) and wonders how you can make true Southern food with soy. Jeremy reveals he’s had delicious fried soy curls before, demonstrating that you can make plant-based versions of food staples. Additionally, as one of the show’s love interests, Jeremy defies the “vegan” stereotype, and throughout other episodes promotes healthy eating habits – implicitly connecting plant-based diets to health.

Tags:
Behaviors: Plant-based
Type: Climate Cameo
Character: Supporting Character
Genre: Romance
Mood:  Friendly dialogue 

Lessons in Chemistry – Her and Him

Season 1, Episode 2
11:07 – 11:50
Apple TV+
Episode Credits 

What’s happening: In the lab, Elizabeth is busy with an experiment when Calvin arrives. She tells him she’s split the lab for them. Calvin, upset, leaves her to work by herself. Later, Elizabeth prepares a fancy meal, reflecting on the day’s events.

What we like: This scene effectively shows that a meatless meal can be both high-quality and satisfying. Featuring a likable character preparing a delicious, meatless dish, it uses close-up shots to highlight the savory, filling nature of the meal. This approach challenges misconceptions about meatless diets and promotes the normalization of climate-friendly eating choices.

Tags: 

Behaviors: Plant-Rich Diet
Type: Climate Cameo
Character: Core Character
Genre: Drama
Mood / Tone: Serious Light-hearted
Behavioral Principle: Normalize Climate Action The Messenger Matters Help Break Down Stereotypes

Superstore – Cloud Green

Season 4, Episode 18
1:18 – 1:44
NBC/Peacock & Hulu
Episode Credits

What’s happening:The Cloud 9 megastore launches green initiatives for Earth Day. Not everything goes to plan: the employees don’t exactly embrace paper straws in the break room, and customers can’t make sense of the complicated recycling bins. Eventually, the group spreads awareness on social media, and starts a direct action employee group.

What we like: This episode highlights some of the difficulties people have adopting sustainable behaviors. It can be a challenge to change your routine or try something new like composting. However, we see that there is a whole spectrum of climate action – from spreading awareness to direct action – and everyone can find a role to play. The episode also delivers to the audience some pretty hard-hitting facts about climate change – but with humor and heart.

Tags: 

Behaviors: Climate Concern
Type: Characters & Storylines Supporting
Character: Core Character
Genre: Comedy
Mood / Tone: Light-hearted Funny
Behavioral Principle: Show the Struggle to Change

Solar panels reliably provide emission free electricity for everything from smartphones to homes to entire cities. The same can be true on screen: from dialogue to set dressing, solar panels can fit into films and tv shows across most genres.

Tehran – Blood Funeral

Season 2, Episode 8
Time Code: 14:06 – 14:11
AppleTV
Episode Credits

What’s happening: In this clip from the fast-paced Israeli spy thriller Tehran, we see Marjan Montazami (Glenn Close), a British Mossad agent in Tehran, giving instructions to Tamar Rabinyan (Niv Sultan), the Mossad agent and hacker. She is going to infiltrate the home of Sardar Qasem Mohammadi (Vassilis Koukalani), head of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

What we like: This clip is great at sneaking in a climate cameo into an exciting spy thriller. As the camera pans to General Mohammadi’s villa, we get a bird’s-eye view clearly showing a rooftop covered in solar panels. As we always say, climate mentions belong in all genres and all formats – especially spy thrillers in Tehran!

Tags:
Behaviors: Solar panels
Type: Climate Cameo, Background placement
Character: Supporting character
Genre: Action
Mood: Suspenseful

Mulligan – Opening Day

Season 1, Episode 6
Time Code: 8:09 – 8:32
Netflix
Episode Credits

What’s happening: Throughout the episode, Simon (Sam Richardson) and Lucy (Chrissy Teigen) work together to bring solar power to their post-alien invasion world.

What we like: This episode reminds audiences that solar power is not just a fad; in fact, it has been around for decades and Jimmy Carter even installed them on the White House during the 1970s. Even in a post-apocalyptic world, the power of the sun can do everything from blend smoothies to keep our life-saving technologies working. Finally, as Simon and Lucy are forced to lobby Senator LaMarr (Dana Carvey), the episode serves as a biting commentary on the lobbying efforts of the fossil fuel industry. In the end, our protagonists successfully bring solar to their community – which is received with excitement.

Tags:
Behaviors: Solar panels
Type: Climate Cameo
Character: Core character
Genre: Comedy
Mood: Friendly dialogue

Ada Twist, Scientist – The Green Team 

Season 4, Episode 3
20:50 – 21:32
Netflix
Episode Credits 

What’s happening:In this clip from the children’s animation Ada Twist, Scientist, Ada and her friends are showing off their new sustainable inventions, from a solar-powered DJ set, to eco-friendly clothes. Ada’s parents feel inspired by the kids and decide to put solar panels on their roof. 

What we like:This clip shows how different generations can learn from each other and use the resources they have access to to fight climate change in different ways. 

Tags: 

Behaviors: Solar-Panels
Type: Climate Cameo
Character: Core Character
Genre: Animated
Mood / Tone: Light-hearted
Behavioral Principle: Normalize Climate Action

Think about your character and the car they drive. Pick-up truck? SUV? Sports car? Mini-van? Chances are, there is a fully-electric version on the market today, and they’re going faster and further than ever before. Today, driving with electricity makes 63% fewer emissions than a gasoline car—and it’ll get even better when more of our electricity comes from renewables.

Partner Track – Partner Track

Season 1, Episode 3
Time Code: 13:30 – 14:15
Netflix
Episode Credits

What’s happening: In this clip from the legal drama Partner Track, we see Ingrid Yun (Arden Cho) and Jeff Murphy (Dominic Sherwood) bickering about their legal case while plugging in their electric vehicle. 

What we like:  This clip normalizes using electric vehicles and shows how simple it is to charge. 

Tags:
Behaviors: EVs
Type: Background placement
Character: Core character
Genre: Legal Drama
Mood: Light but serious dialogue

Shrinking – Fifteen Minutes

Season 1, Episode 3
Time Code: 7:10 – 7:20
Apple TV+
Episode Credits

What’s happening:In this clip, the character bought a new car and is naming it Debbie. She gets dressed up to take it on the first drive to work. It’s not known that it’s an EV until she screams, “New Tesla, bitch!” to another vehicle.

What we like: This clip normalizes the integration of electric vehicles as part of day-to-day commutes. Gaby who is portrayed as a likable character is clearly shown to be enjoying her new car as she is driving. By showing a likable character driving an EV to work, the scene normalizes EV as a common but cool vehicle that can be used daily.

Tags:
Behaviors: Green transport
Type: Climate cameo
Character: Supporting character
Genre: Comedy
Mood: Light and good music on the car

.Transportation alone accounts for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and well over three-quarters of that comes from personal vehicles. Beyond EVs, there are plenty of ways characters can get around greener on screen: carpooling, cycling, public buses and trains, even walking. 

.Platonic – Partner’s Retreat

Season 1, Episode 3
22:22 – 22:35
Apple TV+
Episode Credits

What’s happening: While Sylvia’s husband is at a conference, she spends the day with her old friend, Will. After a few drinks, Will proposes visiting Sylvia’s husband, whom he hasn’t seen for a while. Unable to find a rideshare, Will suggests they use a scooter.

What we like: This is a great example illustrating climate-friendly behavior through green transportation, such as scooters. When the characters can’t find a rideshare, they opt for scooters. The switch from cars to scooters, portrayed as cool and convenient, reinforces the climate-friendly action of using green transportation. 

Tags:

Behaviors: Green Transportation
Type: Characters & Storylines Supporting
Character: Supporting Character
Genre: Comedy Drama
Mood / Tone: Light-hearted
Behavioral Principle: Normalize Climate Action Positive Reinforcement The Messenger Matters

The Sex Lives of College Girls – Frat Problems

Season 2, Episode 2
Time Code: 17:42 – 18:14
Max
Episode Credits

What’s happening:In this comedic scene, Jackson (Mitchell Slaggert), a climate refugee from Kansas, convinces Dean Miller (Rachael Harris) to let Theta have their strip show fundraiser for climate change by telling her how he’s personally been impacted by a climate disaster. 

What we like: Climate is seamlessly integrated here in a place that you would not expect it to be – a strip show thrown by a college fraternity. This is a great example of how climate can be used anywhere, even in comedies. 

Tags:
Behaviors: Climate concern, Climate refuge
Type:  Climate Cameo
Character: Supporting Character
Genre:  Comedy-drama
Mood: Light comedic conversation

The climate struggle can be interwoven into any story, setting, or genre. No matter where your story is set, chances are the characters would believe in or have worries about climate change. After all, that’s true in the real world. This can create opportunities to explore powerful emotions like fear, anxiety, joy, and hope, while also highlighting solutions. 

Inter-Generational Climate Conversations 

Foundation – Upon Awakening

Season 1, Episode 5
Time Code: 17:39-18:05
Apple TV+
Episode Credit

What’s happening: Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) – inspired by the example of her courageous teacher Sion – searches out texts on mathematics and discovers that the climate change on her home planet of Synnax means all their homes will be lost. 

What we like: This scene shines light on young people challenging authority figures denying climate reality. Gaal’s situation parallels the imminent challenges of low-lying island nations, and portrays the struggle of youth expressing climate urgency to elders, who often deny or overlook their anxieties. 

Climate anxiety is growing among young people. Showing it on screen – even on a distant alien planet – helps people feel seen. It legitimizes their anxieties and their urgency. And, it gives comfort to those who struggle with these conversations in their daily lives. Successful and meaningful intergenerational dialogue on climate change is essential to building a broad climate coalition. 

Tags:

Behaviors: Climate Concern Combating Climate Denial Intergenerational Dialogue
Type: Climate Cameo
Character: Core Character
Genre: Science Fiction Drama
Mood / Tone: Serious Tense
Behavioral Principle: The Messenger Matters Show the Struggle to Change

Marc Maron End Times Fun

24:56-28:00
Netflix
Writer: Marc Maron

What’s happening: Comedian Marc Maron jokes about Southern California’s regular “wildfire season” and how people react to it. He pokes fun at people’s climate change denial (a normally heavy subject) and playfully suggests it might take a sky on fire to get them to act.

What we like: Maron highlights the absurdity of our complacency amidst climate disasters with humor and humility. He comically illustrates how we normalize extreme phenomena, panic, and denial, procrastinating on climate action until it’s unavoidable. These are heavy themes to tackle, but demonstrates the social license stand up comedy has to to mock or call out the audience within reason.

Tags:

Behaviors: Climate Concern Combating Climate Denial Intergenerational Dialogue
Type: Climate Cameo
Character: Core Character
Genre: Comedy
Mood / Tone: Funny Light-hearted Serious
Behavioral Principle: The Messenger Matters Normalize Climate Action Show the Struggle to Change