From Studio to South Pole

Warming of our planet leads to the melting of ice, even in areas as cold as Antarctica. But how fast is the Antarctic ice melting? And why should we even care here in the UK? In my talk I will take you on a journey south, to my favourite continent, Antarctica. This winter I co-led an ambitious expedition to a really remote place - 800 km away from any base station. Our team set up camp and lived in tents for six weeks. We embarked on a scientific mission to learn about Antarctica’s response to climate change. It was amazing. It was challenging. It was a journey worth sharing.

The screen industries may not seem like obvious climate allies, but what if they could help lead the way? Film, TV, and video games shape the way we understand the world – and imagine our future in it. From post-apocalyptic wastelands to utopian green futures, climate storytelling has the power to inspire, alarm, or even mislead. Drawing on industry insights and emerging evidence, this talk explores how the stories we tell on screen can inspire real-world choices, shift social norms, and spark collective action. Can storytelling save the planet? Maybe not alone – but it might just help us believe we can.