CCCL and Australian Embassy Host Masterclass “Becoming the Next Generation Climate Storytellers” by Damon Gameau during Bangkok Climate Action Week (BKKCAW)

On Friday, October 3, 2025, CCCL, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy, held a masterclass “Becoming the Next Generation Climate Storytellers” led by filmmaker Damon Gameau. The session aimed to share insights and inspiration on how storytelling can drive social and environmental change. The event took place at the 5th-floor Auditorium, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).

The Power of Storytelling to Drive Change

Gameau emphasized that storytelling is the starting point of social transformation at every level.

“Stories shape culture.

Culture shapes leaders.

Leaders shape policy.

And policy shapes society.”

He explained that to change systems, we must first change the stories that sustain them. Every person lives within a collective story, a larger narrative that defines our behaviors and the economic systems we inhabit. At the same time, personal stories are equally powerful, as the stories we tell ourselves each day can transform our mindset, relationships, and lives in profound ways.

“We’ve used too much fear, we've used so much overwhelm that I think we've accidentally frozen huge amounts of the population and they don't want to engage with this topic anymore.” - Damon Gameau

From Fear to Hope

In the past, climate crisis communication often relied on fear, a tactic that unintentionally distanced people from the issue. Damon Gameau explained this through science: fear activates the limbic system, which shuts down the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for reason and decision-making. As a result, people feel overwhelmed, hopeless, and withdraw from the conversation altogether.

The new approach is to tell stories that inspire hope and excitement about the future, helping people imagine the kind of world they want to build, instead of the one they fear losing.

“So what we need more of, which get to today is stories that inspire and excite people about future that show them visions of what it might look like on the other side of this climate crisis, so that they can feel engaged, they can feel connected and feel like that's a world they want to help create for their children.” - Damon Gameau

Making Stories Human and Relatable

Using overly technical terms like “net zero” or “anthropogenic” often alienates audiences. To truly connect, stories need to feel human and close to everyday life, for example, explaining how global warming affects the coffee beans or chocolate we enjoy daily.

Stories That Inspire Change

Damon Gameau, a filmmaker who uses storytelling as a tool for social change, has created several influential works:

• That Sugar Film (2014): A humorous and visually engaging personal experiment about hidden sugar in “healthy” foods. The film sparked national conversations and even inspired sugar tax policies in several countries.

• 2040: A hopeful vision of a sustainable future brought to life with CGI — showing what our world could look like if we act now. Instead of fear, the film evokes hope and excitement, leading to real-world outcomes such as seaweed farming projects and inspiring young people to shift their careers.

• Future Council: A story about eight young activists, told through empathy and ethics, exploring how humanity can live in balance with the planet.

From Emotion to Action and Regeneration

A powerful story should not stop at emotion, it must lead to action and regeneration. Gameau has built platforms that allow viewers to take immediate action after watching his films, from supporting environmental initiatives to soil and ecosystem restoration — real, lasting solutions for the planet.

Artists, storytellers, and creators play a vital role in translating complex scientific data into relatable narratives, bringing empathy back into the public conversation.

“The stories aren't enough. When you elicit an emotion in someone. Um you've got to turn that emotion into action. Otherwise, it just disappears on social media.” - Damon Gameau

Communicating to the Right Audience

Environmental communication cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. When speaking with policymakers or large organizations, the story must clearly show how policy changes will improve people’s lives and use language that frames climate action as an exciting new opportunity. This approach opens doors for understanding, collaboration, and real change.