The project explores a desirable future, to spark hope during challenging times: In 2073, an activist tells us how we saved the climate.
Define the problem/need you are solving or addressing with your project. How does it address the Open Call criteria, such as environmental impact, social engagement, circularity, user experience, resource efficiency, and community-driven solutions?
The harsh reality of the climate emergency has led to widespread apathy: 75% of young people worldwide are frightened by the future due to the climate crisis (Hickman et al. 2021). This anxiety does not lead to action or change. “Remember the Future” tackles this issue by presenting a hopeful, solutions-based narrative set in 2073, illustrating how social engagement today led to a climate-stabilized future. The project inspires young people to take action, offering an optimistic, science-based approach that counters the dominant dystopian narratives often amplified by climate deniers. This aligns with the Open Call criteria by providing a community-driven solution and enhancing social engagement through positive, actionable storytelling.
Please describe your project, reflecting on the concept, inspiration, materials, technical aspects, methods and process(es).
“Remember the Future” is a speculative short film imagining a world where humanity successfully solved the climate crisis. The film presents a hopeful, science-based narrative that shifts the focus from catastrophe to solutions, inspiring viewers to take action. Rooted in climate science, foresight, and speculative design, the project draws inspiration from social movements, environmental writings, films, and climate solutions recommended by the IPCC. It uses insights from climate psychology and neuroscience to explore how storytelling can inspire action. The film’s iterative process involved audience feedback before production, combining live-action and AI-generated footage to create a compelling vision of the future.
What do you think makes your project innovative compared to the existing efforts and ideas in the field it addresses?
Unlike traditional climate communication that often relies on technical facts or catastrophic narratives, “Remember the Future” presents a solutions-driven approach, showcasing a world where the climate has been stabilized. Through an emotional story told by a contemporary witness, the film engages viewers on a human level, shifting the focus from problems to possibilities. Grounded in science, the project boosts agency rather than anxiety, applying foresight and narrative world-building for purpose-driven filmmaking. It’s not a documentary, dystopian film, or utopian fantasy—it’s a science-based optimistic narrative designed to inspire young audiences to view themselves as part of the solution.
Does it impact or reflect young people need(s) and how?
Research shows that young people increasingly feel helpless in the face of the climate emergency. Traditional climate narratives often reinforce these feelings. To break this cycle of desperation and apathy, young people need hope and action. “Remember the Future” offers a hopeful, solutions-driven vision of 2073, showing the positive impact of collective action today. It presents a world that is not perfect but much better than the alternative of climate breakdown, generating hope that inspires action. The project shifts the narrative from fear to empowerment, reinforcing the idea that today’s efforts can create a thriving tomorrow.
