Why conservation needs positive storytelling
One million species are at current risk of extinction. Animal populations have decreased by 68% in the space of 50 years. As we continue to destroy natural habitats for our own needs, we are wrecking our chances of survival. We depend on biodiversity to sustain the Earth and ourselves. But we’ve become myopic in our way of life, detached from the reality of what is happening to our planet. There may be headlines about the loss of rhinos and tigers, but it’s the insects and plants we cannot see that are also disappearing, signalling impending environmental disintegration. The collapse of biodiversity is happening while we stare at our screens. It may seem like there is little to be done from here. Yet, it’s precisely in this digital space that we have an opportunity to close the gap between humanity and nature.
Knowledge is more accessible than ever before. But the role the media plays in disseminating information is crucial. Currently, conservation media is relegated to two disparate streams – alarmist reporting that only serves to desensitise and immobilise audiences or visually stunning nature documentaries that sidestep human impact. This messaging doesn’t work. We need to see ourselves as part of the story of our planet. In order for people to take an active interest in preserving biodiversity, they need to feel that they have a role to play. How we frame the natural world can be the difference between someone scrolling on or changing their perspective.
Know your 'why'. It's how we build communities
Amy Pieterse, Ginkgo Agency 19 Mar 2021
A new story for our planet
Constructive journalism isn’t an idealistic exercise. Studies show that solutions-based stories that engender positive emotions encourage people to take action and become more environmentally responsible. And the good news is out there, we just don’t often see it. In our storytelling, there
needs to be a balance between an endearing narrative and an impetus to action. But this is possible – and it can be accomplished in 60 seconds.
Beautiful News was founded with the purpose to share one-minute films of everyday people creating positive change in South Africa. We’ve since expanded worldwide, but have sharpened our focus on the natural world. Harnessing the power of constructive narrative, we are reconnecting people to the story of our planet. To date, we’ve released nearly 100 micro-documentaries on social media about differing species, from hadedas and Cape cobras to Eurasian lynxes. Within a single minute, we focus on the species’ characteristics, their role in the ecosystem, the threats they face – and what people can do about it. We’re exploring every aspect of this biodiverse world, endearing people to the creatures we coexist with.
These short videos have the ability to interrupt mindless scrolling to inform and inspire people. While leafcutter ants and lesser famingos may be worlds away, that doesn’t mean we can’t still empathise with them. By collaborating with creatives worldwide, we have created stories that are educational, arresting and,most importantly, accessible. This is the natural world at our fingertips, neither stuck behind a paywall nor bogged down in scientific jargon.
The end of disconnection
Beautiful News not only focuses on a specific animal, but also the conservationists, organisations and everyday individuals who play their part in preserving biodiversity. Our human role is emphasised in each story, whether focusing on a law that was changed to protect a species or the animal rescuer caring for urban squirrels.
By recognising ourselves in conservation, we may be more compelled to petition our governments for change or simply stop by the side of the road for an injured animal. Sharing a flm on Facebook or Instagram reorients our focus and values back to the natural world. A positive story has the power to do more than brighten someone’s day. It can show us what is possible. Learning about the return of eastern quolls to mainland Australia or rewilding efforts in Argentina demonstrates that change is happening and change is in our hands.
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We are in the trenches together – and it’s through the wilful efforts of the conservationists, the storytellers and the homebodies scrolling online that we can protect the thousands of species we live with. There is a whole world out there. We can see it. We can value it. We can preserve it.
