Announcing the Climate Creators to Watch in 2023
Social media creators who are changing the climate narrative through creative and engaging content
Los Angeles, CA - The second annual list of Climate Creators to Watch was released today by Pique Action and the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The 17 creators on the list are being recognized for using social media to make original, entertaining, and educational content that’s reshaping the climate narrative, combatting misinformation, and empowering people to focus on solutions that improve their health and the health of the planet through climate actions.
“If facts and stats were enough to solve this crisis, we would have fixed things a long time ago – we need more communication, and these creators are relatable and reachable as individuals, inspiring action that ripples far beyond the feed,” said Kip Pastor, CEO and Founder of Pique Action. “Each of their content is tailored to unique audiences and connects in meaningful ways.”
Pique Action and Harvard Chan C-CHANGE reviewed hundreds of social media accounts to develop this year’s list. Collectively, the 2023 creators - including rappers, visual artists, scientists, songwriters, and activists - have 3.4M followers and reached over 250 million views in 2022 on their social channels.
“These creators are so effective because they’re creating huge online audiences by making climate change personal: showing how it affects the people, the places, and the things that they love, and then highlighting the actions they’re taking and how you can get involved too,” said Dr. Aaron Bernstein, Interim Director of Harvard Chan C-CHANGE
According to Katherine Hayhoe, one of the best ways to help fight climate change is to talk about it more. Researchers say more perspectives from trusted messengers and communities most impacted by climate disasters are needed to effectively communicate about climate change. Best practices for communication include showing how climate actions are moving us in a positive direction to motivate people to act and avoid getting stuck in the “doom and gloom” narrative. Content should also show the “ripple effects” of climate solutions and how they improve health, inequities, and environmental justice issues.
"My goal as a climate content creator is to influence people to take small actions towards healing our planet together,” says Dez McGill, a content creator and climate communicator. “We don't need a whole bunch of people trying to become perfectly sustainable. We need people collectively coming together to take small actions that can create a big impact.”
Hila Perry, an environmental educator who raps about climate change, said she wants, “‘caring for the earth’ to be the most fashionable, trending, pop culture item on everyone’s minds.”
The average person spends two and a half hours per day on social media and Generation Z (born between 1997-2012) spends at least four hours a day on social networks. Pew Research shows half of U.S. adults are getting news on social media with adults under 30 making up the largest share.
In 2022, the inaugural 16 creators advised Harvard students, staff, and faculty on science communication, joined White House roundtables on climate policy, spoke at Climate Week and COP27, and hosted their own climate newsletters, podcasts, and more. They were featured in NPR, New York Times, Teen Vogue, The Guardian, and more.
Creators on this year’s list will be invited to speak at the Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit on Climate, Equity, and Health being held in Boston this July. They were featured today in the Center’s Climate Optimist, a monthly newsletter sharing stories about positive climate actions.
Check out this year’s list
Philip Aiken (Austin, TX) - For telling stories that reconnect people with nature and support grassroots organizing. Instagram TikTok
Zahra Biabani (Houston, TX) - For sharing actions people can take and tidbits of hopeful news for the planet. Instagram TikTok
Georgia Cam (Sydney, Australia) - For bridging the gap between the law and science and highlighting good news for nature. Instagram
Lauren Bash (Santa Monica, CA) - For showing individuals how they can make a difference in their communities. Instagram TikTok
Caulin Donaldson (St. Petersburg, FL) - For using humor and creativity to inspire millions to reduce trash locally and globally. Instagram TikTok
Oli Frost (London, England) - For his catchy and comedic songs about climate change. TikTok YouTube
Wawa Gatheru (Washington, DC) - For using her academic and activist backgrounds to make climate change accessible to people from all walks of life. Instagram TikTok
Isaias Hernandez (Los Angeles, CA) - For educating audiences on the intersectional nature of the climate crisis and advancing the conversation around climate change. Instagram TikTok
Nicole Kelner (New York, NY) - For using watercolors to communicate complex climate challenges in a beautiful and accessible way. Instagram Twitter
Arielle V. King (Silver Spring, MD) - For focusing on environmental justice storytelling and amplifying the voices, work, and legacies of people traditionally overlooked in mainstream environmentalism. Instagram TikTok
Mckenzie Margarethe (Okanagan, BC, Canada) - For bringing diversity and inclusivity to the marine science and ocean conservation space. Instagram TikTok
Dez McGill (San Francisco Bay Area, CA) - For breaking down complex climate issues with humor and plain language. Instagram TikTok
Hila Perry (New York, NY) - For bringing joy, music, and comedy to the environmental education space through eco-raps about Earth. TikTok YouTube
Jhánneu Roberts (Austin, TX) - For showing how low-waste living can be inclusive and accessible to all. Instagram YouTube
James Stewart (London, England) - For bringing climate science and sustainable programming to mainstream media. Instagram TikTok
Hazel Thayer (Victoria, BC, Canada) - For her comedic approach to busting myths about climate change. Instagram TikTok
Laura Young (Glasgow, Scotland) - For using her scientific background to bring climate resilience solutions to the UK and beyond. Instagram TikTok
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About Pique Action
Pique Action is a new media startup that aims to change the conversation around climate by producing content that elevates solutions and drives action. Since 2022, the company has released over 500 videos, including 40 micro-documentaries on climate innovators through its series NextNow. It’s the opposite of doomscrolling. For more information or to sign up for the newsletter, visit www.piqueaction.com.
