An expanding vision of desirable and just climate futures, created by emerging young storytellers

The contours of our collective destiny are too often shaped by a limited spectrum of perspectives rooted in Western, settler-colonial worldviews; a widely accepted vision of succumbing to a dystopian narrative preordained by a select few. This project was launched on the conviction that it is time we asked:

How do you envision a desirable climate future in the year 2075?

Centering the experiences, knowledge, and alternative ways of knowing of frontline, BIPOC, queer, and young communities is crucial in shaping our collective understanding of climate futures. By amplifying the voices of frontline communities, we collectively build a more inclusive and equitable vision of the future.

The inaugural, 2024 cohort of Climate Storytelling 2075 excelled in integrating personal narratives with scientific data and historical reflection, creating a deeply interdisciplinary approach to climate storytelling. Their work was marked by an urgency to address grief and environmental destruction while imagining "irresistible futures" that respond to present crises. By weaving together multimedia artistry, activism, and research-driven storytelling, this group developed a rich foundation for climate narratives that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. Their strength lies in their ability to channel the emotional weight of the climate crisis into compelling, action-driven works that balanced realism with hope. Representing many corners of the U.S., the first Climate Storytelling 2075 cohort produced a visionary anthology of the future we are capable of building today.

The second, 2025 cohort builds on this foundation by expanding both the geographic and disciplinary scope of the initiative. With 20 artists, scientists, and storytellers from across the world, this cohort pushes the boundaries of climate storytelling by incorporating a broader array of mediums and perspectives. Their work is uniquely positioned at the intersection of art, science, and cultural heritage, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous and ancestral knowledge as a pathway to contemporary and future sustainability. By blending speculative fiction with historical wisdom, data visualization with Afrofuturism, material design with ecological preservation, and beyond, this cohort exemplifies radical hope and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Their ability to draw from both deeply personal and globally interconnected narratives makes them a force for reimagining the climate future in a way that is inclusive, innovative, and transformative.

Together, these works highlight the importance of centering imagination in the fight for a thriving Earth. These artists demonstrate that creativity and imagination are not just valuable experimentations, but necessary tools in envisioning and crafting a desirable future. By bringing diverse perspectives and intersectional themes to the forefront, these young artists emphasize the interconnectedness of social, environmental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Their visionary work underscores the urgent need to reimagine our relationship with the Earth and each other, fostering a collective hope and actionable pathways for a better world in 2075 and beyond.

The futures these artists conjure are not just a distant dream but a call to action today. Their work inspires us to think creatively and act boldly, recognizing that the solutions to climate change lie in our ability to envision new possibilities and engage with the world in innovative ways. It is through the lens of speculative future building that we can confront the crises of our time and build a resilient, harmonious future.

With loving belief in that future,

Onward.