Many of the most successful films and television shows over the last four years have one thing in common: they engage with our environmental crisis.

From DON’T LOOK UP,  AVATAR: WAY OF WATER, DUNE, and KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, to THE LAST OF US, TED LASSO, and ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, content that reflects climate change and climate solutions, fossil fuel extraction, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice has topped the box office, reached massive streaming and broadcast audiences, and won awards and critical acclaim.

The opportunities presented by environmental themes are underscored by a new sizzle reel, narrated by Meryl Streep, and produced by the Sustainable Production Alliance and NRDC’s Rewrite the Future, that highlights the potential for creative and commercial success with environmental content.

Until recently, environmental themes have been significantly underrepresented in entertainment. From 2016 to 2020, for instance, the term “climate change” appeared in only 0.6 percent of films and television shows.

But a large and fast-growing majority of Americans – especially young people – care deeply about our environmental crisis. A recent study of thousands of youth worldwide found that 84 percent are troubled by climate change and say it affects their daily lives. Half say they feel ignored or dismissed when they share their feelings with others.

Several recent studies have found that a large majority of people want to see environmental themes reflected in the films and television shows they watch.

Talent also wants more environmental content. In fact, Ms. Streep described the climate change allegory DON’T LOOK UP as the most important work of her career. Top industry talent have engaged with environmental advocacy, and creators are seizing the rich narrative opportunities to tell compelling stories across genres.

Audiences are ready for the story of our time.