— Written by Lyle Jarvis

Climate Communications = Important Climate Solution 📣🌎🌱

A changing climate is an experience that unites us, something we're all facing as a species no matter what we do, how we think, or where we come from. Its impact goes beyond extreme weather, rippling out to every other facet of life– how we eat, live, learn, and interact with each other.

Despite it being our shared challenge, not everyone experiences climate change the same way, which is why we need the broadest range possible of messages and messengers to move us forward– together.

Over half of American adults say they get their news from social media at least some of the time, but only a quarter say they hear about global warming on social media at least once a month.

To solve this, the Climate Creators to Watch List was first launched in 2022, set on spotlighting creators from all walks of life to help inform, inspire, and engage a wider audience on climate action and solutions. If we’re going to have a shot at building a sustainable world, we need all hands on deck.

New Year, New List 📈📝

2025 has already brought its own new set of climate challenges. A changing administration and a new handful of climate-fueled weather disasters have left many of us feeling a strong sense of darkness around climate progress, or feeling like we’re stuck in some sort of circular pattern, unable to break through to a more positive place. These setbacks call for a renewed sense of resilience and creativity to help move us forward.

That’s why this year, we want to recognize these creators specifically for their work in breaking that circle, expanding the climate community across a whole host of mediums (sports, skits, music, design, and more). By growing our community, these creators inspire us to find optimism and solutions in new ways, and excite all sorts of new audiences to join us in the mission.

We’d also like to recognize these creators for giving the climate conversation new tones of voice. Some of our creators have even managed to bring a refreshing dose of comedy into the mix, giving a whole new meaning to the 😂 emoji (we’re literally crying laughing). But seriously, it takes skill to make a non-laughing matter hilarious. It’s good for our souls, and for the planet!

These creators remind us of the strength we have in fresh ideas, and leave us feeling ready and hopeful to take on what's next. And for that, we hope you’ll join us in thanking them.

Check out the 2025 list of creators below! 🏆🎊

Sam Bentley (Birmingham, UK) For helping shift the climate conversation from doom to optimism with thoughtful and hopeful insights, reminding us that progress is happening, and everyone can be part of it.

Summer Dean (Los Angeles, CA) For telling stories  that weave sustainability into conversations around fashion, wellness and beyond.

Formidable Vegetable (Denmark, Western Australia) For using music to deliver entertaining, informative climate solutions through a signature sound of permaculture funk-swing.

Esteban Gast (Los Angeles, CA) For bringing a fresh sense of levity to an otherwise often gloomy conversation, a comedian making content that’s as fun as it is educational.

Ella Gilbert (London, UK) For being an Antarctic climate scientist who can demystify the role of clouds, polar ice, and scientific methods in a way everyone can understand. 

Suzie Hicks (Los Angeles, CA) For teaching educators, parents, and kids of all ages about climate solutions, and for inspiring a new generation to advance climate justice all over the world.

Gittemarie Johansen (Aalborg, Denmark) For empowering us with the tools to incorporate low-waste living, conscious consuming, and green energy into our own lifestyles.

Sage Lenier (New York, NY) For bringing climate action into the classroom, and for replacing climate doom with a focus on climate solutions, ushering in a new generation of climate justice leaders. 

Adam Met (New York, NY) For using his platform as a popular indie-pop musician to engage wide audiences on climate action and solutions.

Karishma Porwal (Toronto, ON) For using creative climate storytelling to make us fall in love with dark skies, environmental lore, sustainable living, and more.

Sierra Quitiquit (Park City, UT) For using sports to engage with other athletes, broaden the climate audience, and help humanity live in harmony with nature by helping us understand that we are part of nature.

Nelson ZêPequéno (Los Angeles, CA) For helping us find community and creativity through gardening, art, and reconnecting with nature.

You can read more about the list and the creators on the Climate Creators to Watch site.

What We’re Watching 🎥, Reading 📚, and Listening to 🎧

Searching for more positive and informative climate content? Look no further!

🎥 Weathering The Change: Climate Adaptation at Rush Creek A beautifully shot short film about conservationists working to protect a nature reserve in Wisconsin from climate change. A reminder that local progress is happening all over the United States!

📚Ocean Country, by Liz Cunningham “One Woman's Voyage from Peril to Hope in her Quest To Save the Seas” Described as an “adventure story, a call to action and a poetic meditation on the state of the seas”

🎧 Reporting the Truth About Water in California Ian James, veteran climate reporter at the Los Angeles Times joins Sammy Roth’s podcast, Boiling Point to bust some myths on California’s water supply and fire response.

👀 Some Stories You Might Have Missed This Week 🗞️📺:

1. New data shows we’ve turned a corner in our fight for healthier air, with almost every type of air pollution dropping from peak levels (The Cool Down)

2. The Supreme Court blocked a Republican-led effort to halt states from climate lawsuits against the oil and gas industry (AP News)

3. Texas, America’s leading state for renewables, broke solar, wind, and battery records all in one week (Canary Media)