“The Wild Robot”: A Climate-Conscious Animated Film Leading the Way
DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot, an adaptation of Peter Brown’s beloved children’s book, has not only earned three Oscar nominations—Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score, and Best Sound—but also achieved a unique distinction. It is the only film among this year’s Oscar nominees to pass the Climate Reality Check, a new test developed by the nonprofit Good Energy to evaluate how climate awareness is portrayed in film and television.
The Climate Reality Check is a simple yet impactful tool. To pass, a story must meet two criteria: it must be set on Earth in the present, recent past, or future, and it must acknowledge that climate change exists within its world, with at least one character aware of it. While this may seem straightforward, The Wild Robot stands alone among this year’s Oscar contenders in meeting these conditions. The film’s stunning depiction of a watery, climate-altered future has earned praise for its subtle yet powerful engagement with environmental themes.
Why Climate Stories Matter
As climate-related emergencies become increasingly frequent and severe—from devastating wildfires in Los Angeles to hurricanes like Helene and Milton, which caused billions in damages and claimed hundreds of lives—there’s a growing need for stories that reflect these realities. Good Energy, founded by Anna Jane Joyner, aims to help creators integrate climate awareness into their work, believing that media has the power to shape public opinion and behavior.
“Humans are wired for stories,” Joyner explains. “TV and film have a profound impact on how we see the world and our place in it.” She points to past examples, such as how the concept of designated drivers introduced in 1980s TV shows led to a decline in drunk driving fatalities, or how increased LGBTQ+ representation in media has fostered greater acceptance. Joyner and others hope to see a similar shift in how climate issues are portrayed, moving beyond apocalyptic narratives to stories that inspire action and hope.
Beyond Doom and Gloom: The Case for Joyful Climate Stories
While films like The Day After Tomorrow and Twisters have brought climate disasters to the big screen, experts argue that there’s room for a broader range of stories. Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and climate policy expert, advocates for more lighthearted approaches.
“What I personally would like to see is more climate rom-coms,” Johnson says. “Imagine a meet-cute at a composting facility, or a couple falling in love at an electric car charging station. These are the kinds of stories that can normalize climate awareness in a way that feels organic and relatable.”
adrienne marie brown, a writer and climate justice activist, echoes this sentiment. “We need stories that show us a compelling future,” they say. “Stories that normalize preparedness, community building, and love for the earth. It’s about making climate action joyful, sexy, and powerful.”
Humor and Heart: A Winning Combination
Humor also has a role to play in climate storytelling. Johnson points to Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso as an example of how climate themes can be woven into narratives without feeling forced. In one episode, the soccer team decides to drop an oil company as a sponsor after learning about its harmful practices in Africa. The storyline feels natural and impactful, demonstrating how climate awareness can be integrated into everyday life.
“At no point did it feel like, ‘Wait, how did this get to be about climate?’” Johnson says. “It was just part of the story, and that’s what we need more of.”
A Personal Call to Action
For Joyner, the push for climate-conscious storytelling is deeply personal. Living on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, she has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change. During Hurricane Sally in 2020, her family was forced to evacuate in the middle of the night.
“Every year, I see my home disappearing before my eyes,” she says. “I’ve struggled with climate anxiety, anger, fear, and grief—as do millions of people. I need to see my world on-screen. I need help making meaning of all this and finding joy, courage, and possibility in the midst of it.”
Joyner believes that acknowledging climate change in stories is essential to helping audiences process their emotions and take action. “We need to talk about it in our stories so that we can talk about it in real life,” she says. “We need to explore what it means to be human in this new age of climate change.”
The Wild Robot: A Model for the Future
The Wild Robot exemplifies how climate themes can be woven into storytelling in a way that feels authentic and engaging. By passing the Climate Reality Check, the film sets a new standard for how media can reflect the realities of our changing world while inspiring hope and action.
As we face an uncertain future, stories like The Wild Robot remind us of the power of film and television to shape our understanding of the world—and our role in protecting it.