Meryl Streep has a new role narrating a public service announcement addressing climate change in a collaboration between the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance and NRDC’s Rewrite the Future initiative.
In a new PSA, titled “Want to Tell a Great Story,” Academy Award winner Meryl Streep brings attention to how films and television shows can highlight climate issues without sacrificing entertainment value.
The video opens with Streep asking, “Hey, want to see a story about climate change?” The question is followed by lighthearted clips from popular films such as Get Out and The Lego Movie, where characters humorously decline. Streep acknowledges the discomfort surrounding climate change, saying, “We get it, we really do.” She challenges this response, proposing that stories can still be exciting while engaging with environmental themes.
Throughout the PSA, scenes from a variety of movies and TV shows — ranging from The Day After Tomorrow and Mad Max: Fury Road to Ted Lasso and Avatar — illustrate how climate topics can be woven into storytelling. Streep emphasizes, “Stories can engage with the climate even as they entertain. Whether they are dramatic or funny or stories of courage, stories about protecting what you love, or a story of adventure, climate change is the story of our time.”
Streep has long been a vocal advocate for climate action. One of her major commitments has been with the Mothers & Others for a Livable Planet campaign, which she co-founded in 1989. This organization initially focused on raising awareness about the use of pesticides on food, particularly apples, and advocated for healthier and safer food choices. It eventually expanded its efforts to address broader environmental concerns, from sustainable agriculture to clean air and water. Streep’s work with this group reflects her long-standing belief in environmental responsibility and public health.
The three-time Academy Award winner has supported numerous climate-focused nonprofits and initiatives, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Conservation International. Through these associations, she has championed causes like renewable energy, species preservation, and reducing carbon emissions. Streep co-starred in the 2021 Netflix film, Don’t Look Up, which spoofed the climate crisis.
The Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, previously known as the Sustainable Production Alliance, has been a leader in promoting green production practices. With members such as Disney, Amazon Studios, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the alliance’s efforts have expanded to include encouraging the integration of sustainability into on-screen storytelling. “We’re excited to explore how we can meet audience demand for stories that engage with our changing climate and move the industry toward a more sustainable future, both on and off screen,” said Sam Read, the organization’s executive director.
Daniel Hinerfeld, the director of NRDC’s Rewrite the Future, also praised the increasing integration of environmental topics into mainstream media. “Storytellers are leading the way by creating award-winning film and television content that’s reflecting environmental issues and resonating with audiences. Every story doesn’t need to be about climate change but simply acknowledging that we live in a climate-altered world can make any story more relevant and compelling,” he stated.
Streep directs viewers to ClimateOnScreen.org, a new platform connecting climate-conscious narratives with entertainment. Set to Coldplay’s track “Adventure of a Lifetime,” the PSA aims to inspire both creators and audiences to rethink how they approach climate stories. “Climate change is scary,” Streep says. “It can make us feel, well, a little anxious. And we turn to movies and TV to escape. But what if we changed the question?”
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