Author: Nature Narratives

In a world that feels upside down, where climate change and political polarization run rampant, we wonder whether it’s possible to build a better future. To spite this uncertainty, we offer Nature Narratives of Hope – a project to gather and amplify messages of hope. The project asks four questions on our feelings about nature, capturing diverse perspectives on nature, motivations, and our common future. By sharing these narratives with the broader community through social media and other networks, we aim to cultivate hope, purpose, and action in response to environmental and societal challenges. Nature Narratives of Hope provides a platform for inspiration and collective vision challenging the dominant stories on climate and justice in the media. Join us in inspiring dialogue, creating solidarity, and empowering individuals to believe in and work toward a better future together.

change the tide

“I’m hopeful but realistic. I know that it is the efforts of many like minded individuals that will change the tide on human destruction, but that it is truly at the hands of greedy corrupt capitalism that will ultimately have the final impact.”⁠

choice

“the future of our natural environments is questionable. Although, I choose to have hope that there will be an increase in our sense of urgency as time goes on and as we experience more effects of our changing environment”

respect & cherish

“I believe how we feel for and treat what we believe to be inanimate or without agency is a representation of how we treat each other. In my opinion, a society that learns to respect and cherish nature is one that can be more equal, diverse, and inclusive to all.”

survival


“I’m not sure how I feel about the future of the natural world. Online I see a lot of people and organizations that are very passionate about saving the world but I know it’s not the norm across the board….I do hope that after a few huge nature related disasters we finally get people in charge who actually know how important the natural world is to human survival if people can’t bring themselves to have empathy.”

keep fighting

“I want to understand and learn environmental science so I can be in a place one day where I am helping to make decisions that will protect the thing that gives so much to us. My classes/classmates make me hopeful for nature’s future, yet I know there are many who make me unhopeful. Even though it is difficult, one of my professors once said that we do not have the luxury of despair, so we must keep fighting to protect it, which I intend to do.”

ready

“I do feel nervous about the future of nature, especially after the recent election. But I also feel hopeful. There are brilliant and creative minds ready for change, despite the dark cloud that seems to hang over our planet.”

maintain hope


“While I do admit the current outlook for nature’s future is harrowing, in order to act as an effective climate activist, maintaining a hopeful view is key. If we lose hope, we may altogether stop trying to save nature.“

tenacity

“I want to become a lawyer because I am extremely skeptical about our world’s future. I don’t think we face a likely chance of overcoming our faults and saving our planet, but I want to do all that I can to try. I know that I have the passion to protect our planet, and my own tenacity is what gives me hope that we can come together and turn things around.”

uncertain


“I am uncertain on how I feel about nature’s future. I would like to be hopeful, and sometimes I am, but we have a long way to go before we undo a lot of the harm that we have caused. I’d like to think that a lot of the damage was caused out of ignorance, but we continue to mistreat the environment even though we now know the harm we cause.”