Los Angeles, California – A new challenge in the film industry is gaining attention – the Climate Reality Check. Inspired by the famous Bechdel Test, which measures the presence of women in movies and fiction, this new test evaluates the depiction of climate change in 31 feature films nominated for Academy Awards. Documentaries and shorts were not considered in this assessment.
This simple test, created by Good Energy and the Buck Lab for Climate and Environment at Colby College, aims to determine if climate change is portrayed in the world of the story and if characters are aware of it. To be eligible for the Climate Reality Check, a movie must be set on Earth, take place in the present or future, and address climate change directly.
However, many Oscar-nominated films this year were disqualified due to not meeting these criteria. This includes films set in the past, like “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which explores themes related to fossil fuels. The test also has blind spots, such as not considering films that indirectly reference climate change through allegory or sustainable behaviors.
While the new test may not capture all nuances of climate change representation, efforts are underway to apply it to 250 popular feature films from the past decade in a forthcoming study. Only three films out of 13 eligible for testing passed the Climate Reality Check – “Nyad,” “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” and “Barbie” – due to explicit dialogue referencing climate change.
Visual representations of climate change are also considered in the test, acknowledging the importance of non-verbal cues in portraying the topic. Though only a few films passed the test, it marks a significant step towards more climate-conscious storytelling in mainstream media.
The ultimate goal of the Climate Reality Check is to increase the acknowledgment of climate change in films and TV shows, with a target of 50% by 2027. This initiative reflects a growing awareness of the role media plays in shaping public perception and understanding of pressing issues like climate change.
In conclusion, as the film industry grapples with how to address climate change in storytelling, the Climate Reality Check provides a valuable framework for evaluating the presence of this critical issue on screen. Whether through explicit dialogue, visual cues, or allegorical references, these assessments are essential for promoting climate awareness in popular media.