Summer’s here, we are outside touching grass again, and it feels like the perfect time to reconnect with why we tell climate stories in the first place.
📅 Events + Opportunities
HOT! & Bothered! with UnderTheDeskNews
Join us June 4th for the newest episode of V Spehar’s climate-meets-culture show, featuring special guest and fellow Ground Crew creator Kendahl Landreth.
Nimay and TED spill AI’s tea
On June 16th, come to an NYC salon with Nimay Ndolo unpacking AI’s real impact on climate, culture, and our brains, plus how creators can navigate the nuance.
Newman Trash Walk Recap
Huge shoutout to Ground Crew member Newman Parker for hosting a trail cleanup in Austin. Want to host an event of your own? Send us your idea!
Book a Brainstorm with us
Need help shaping an idea, punching up a script, or figuring out how climate fits into your niche without sounding preachy? Book a 15-minute brainstorm with us.
🎤 Creator Spotlight
This month we sat down with Pattie Gonia to talk about speaking up, building culture instead of just content, and why climate storytelling has way more to do with belonging than perfection.
Here’s what she had to say:
For the creators who care about climate or social justice issues, but may be apprehensive to speak up because they think it might negatively impact their growth or opportunities. What would you say to them?
“I didn’t always speak up. There was a two year period at the beginning of my creator journey where I was too afraid to say anything, and I think I missed a lot of opportunities to make an impact. You can’t say the wrong thing to the right person. Sure, maybe I’ve lost jobs because I’m outspoken, but I’ve gained way more opportunities because of it. And not just work opportunities, but real community too. I really try to remind myself that saying nothing is still a choice. Doing nothing is doing something. We’re all afraid of saying the wrong thing. But silence equals destruction of people and the planet. I would rather speak imperfectly than say nothing at all.”
What do you think the climate movement still gets wrong?
“I think the climate movement has it backwards. Culture has to come first. It’s not about randomly dropping climate facts into content and hoping people care. It’s about building a culture people actually want to belong to. If you can bake climate into the culture you’re helping create, whether that’s fashion, food, comedy, music, art, running—whatever, then the future starts to change.”
How do you use social media to create meaningful relationships with your followers?
“I think knowing the people behind these platforms matters more now than follower count ever will. Social media is just a tool. You can use it to destroy, or you can use it to create connection. I try to use it as a bridge that brings people into real life, whether that’s through community events, live shows, workshops, or conversations that continue offline.”
A lot of creators think they need to become climate experts before they can participate in this work. What would you say to them?
“I’ve never been a data person. I love science, but I’m not someone who’s sitting around reading reports all day. For me, my climate work started from much simpler things: clean air, clean water, healthy food, nature to play in. Those aren’t negotiables. Find your entry point and know that’s enough.”
What keeps you inspired right now?
“I honestly hate hope. I don’t rely on hope. I rely on action. I try to build worlds in my real life and online life that feel like they build more than they destroy. Smaller worlds. Warmer worlds. And lately, I think the real shift is going deep instead of wide. It’s not about reaching everyone. It’s about building meaningful culture and meaningful connection.”
📰 Climate News & Prompts
1. Iran war is accelerating our transition to green energy
As gas and utility bills rise, more people are turning to EVs, solar, batteries, and heat pumps, because they’re cheaper long term.
💸 Show us how rising costs are changing the way you live, cook, travel, or power your home.
2. Amazon deforestation hits an eight-year low
Some good news to cleanse your feed! New data shows Amazon deforestation dropped significantly this year, proving collective action can work.
☀️ Help your followers skip the doom-scroll by sharing other good news (and we’re happy to send you ideas!)
Whoever decided the outdoors were only for granola hikers clearly hasn’t met Kamryn Renae.
💯 How do you stay true to yourself and your audience while talking about the issues you care about?
❤️ Community Content
We scrolled so you don’t have to. Here are a few posts that covertly or overtly spoke to climate this month:
Why it’s time to stop calling climate, climate
Restoring clothes isn’t just sustainable, it’s crucial in today’s economy
Coal plant? More like where Bowser takes Peach to conversion therapy…
That’s it for this month. As always, take what resonates, leave the rest, and make it your own.
And remember: you don’t have to figure this out alone. We’re always here to brainstorm, workshop ideas, and help you find ways to weave climate into the content you already love making!
Can’t wait to see what you create this month, both online and IRL.
Louis + Marilla