Filmmaker and science communicator Christine Arena (Photo courtesy of Christine Arena)
A communicator with a passion for environmental and social issues, Christina Arena left her mark on the environmental film world with the 2018 series Let Science Speak. The short documentary videos go beyond the “war on science” headlines to humanize scientists and let them tell their own stories. Today, she’s donating her time and talent to help produce videos for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). Her newest short film will premiere this April at the Smithsonian’s digital Earth Optimism Summit April 22-24. In this Q&A, she talks about what gives her purpose and optimism.
What drew you to join the SERC advisory board?
I joined the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center board because the nature of our work has never been more urgent. More than 70 percent of the world’s population lives in or near a coastal zone, and these areas are among the most hazardous places to be in the era of climate change. According to the latest scientific projections, our oceans stand to rise by one to four feet by the end of the century, with impacts from storms and high tides potentially upending the lives of entire communities.
I live by the San Francisco Bay. Over the last century, the Pacific Ocean has risen 4 to 8 inches along our shores and, depending on the continued rate of warming, it could rise another 2.4 to 3.4 feet by 2100. That rise would greatly affect our wetlands, water quality, fisheries, flood defenses, infrastructure, property investments and so on. The rate of change is occurring faster than planning commissions can keep pace. That is why SERC’s research to understand the causes and consequences of rapid change in coastal communities across the country and around the world is so critical.
Not only do we need to spark a more inclusive conversation about climate change impacts, but we need to encourage a broader community of scientists, policymakers, business leaders and other experts to collaborate on the solutions. The Smithsonian is uniquely positioned to facilitate both.
What inspired you to tell scientists’ stories?
I consider scientists our front line of defense when it comes to climate change, so it’s a privilege to help tell their stories and amplify their critical perspectives. I also appreciate that different communities across the country have different ways of processing information and thinking about climate change. While facts and data are integral to our understanding of our impact on the natural world, they may not be enough to change everyone’s mind.
Through my work and research, I’ve found that human stories told by trustworthy people can break through to some audiences more effectively than a statistic, chart or graph. Scientists’ personal stories can help establish trust, while relaying important information about how climate impacts us locally, in the places where we live, and what we can do—and are already doing—to fix it.
What gives you hope and optimism for Earth’s future?
It can feel overwhelming to work in a space where we are constantly assessing the damage wrought by the climate crisis. But this clarity can also be a gift, one that forces a sincere engagement with the problem. I believe what matters most is what we do right now, in this present moment. We have a short window of time to take substantive action, and the solutions are now within our reach.
This is America’s modern moonshot moment, and the corresponding sense of urgency leaves no room and no time for despondence. Am I optimistic? Perhaps “determined” is the correct word. This nation can and will come together across party aisles and generational divides and rise to our greatest challenge. We absolutely must.
Watch the Let Science Speak video series at www.letsciencespeak.com.
Learn more about the Earth Optimism summit and watch live at https://earthoptimism.si.edu.
