Reflection

Reflection

One thing many climate scientists have struggled with is getting media attention. Even when climate activists like Wynn Bruce set themselves on fire in front of the White House or block roads like the Extinction Rebellion, their efforts rarely make the front page. Social media influencers are often someone's first introduction to climate activism and how they can help. For example, one of the influencers I featured, Oli Frost, wrote a song about ocean pollution. He plays a pirate worried about the ocean and attempts to stop pollution on his own, then realizes policy change would be much more effective. In my research, I found a study showing how simple policy changes may reverse the effects of overfishing. According to the study, if fisheries allow more communal access to resources and fair wages, it will incentivize workers to care about the long-term success of the fishery and therefore the long-term success of the ocean. I can tackle climate change with my community by learning about the policies of fisheries in my state and writing letters encouraging policy changes. I chose to feature these influencers because they deserve to be remembered as having a vital role in climate activism. They take the time and effort to inform people in a way that many mock and dismiss, to encourage people to have hope and fight for change. I’ve always loved art because it captures history. Especially now, we need to document our world using not just written documentation, but also art to capture those who don’t make it into the history books. We cannot change the world when people don’t know how, or even if they can help; climate influencers are the ones teaching people how to help.