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The power of stories and framings
Watch this video with George Monbiot that highlights the importance of stories and framings in facilitating social change.
The science of climate change is unequivocal. In the words of climate scientist Kimberley Nicholas:
“It’s warming. It’s us. We’re sure. It’s bad. We can fix it.”
The facts and figures are clear, both on the science and even on much of what is needed to tackle the climate crisis. But unfortunately, facts and figures are not necessarily what changes people’s minds.
In this video, award-winning journalist and author George Monbiot explains how stories (or ‘narratives’), rather than facts and figures, drive or inhibit social change. In the next step, we will use the blueprint of the restoration story to create our own stories of the climate crisis and how we may “restore harmony to the land” in this crisis.
Have your say
Monbiot mentioned that the basic story pattern of the restoration story is prominent not only in politics but also in fictional stories. Can you think of any stories from well-known books or films that roughly follow this pattern? If so, share and discuss your thoughts with other learners in the Comments section.
This article is from the online course:
Climate Action: Tackling the Climate Crisis for a Better World
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This article is from the free online
Climate Action: Tackling the Climate Crisis for a Better World
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