S6E2: The Climate Movement Needs Proactive Media | with Elson Bankoff & Ecosystemic

We have a media problem. Not just in the echo-chamber of social media but in the mainstream media world as well. So how do we fix it?

As our guest for this episode, Elson Bankoff, puts it, “Imagine a world where there aren’t simply IPCC reports, but after each clause, a demand. Imagine a world where after each local broadcast, there are four events to attend to address the issue.”-- wow, imagine that world! This is what she defines as “Proactive media”. Educational media that is coupled with direct opportunities for action. Proactive media is needed to forward all kinds of social movements, including the climate movement because too often we’re failed by mainstream media that doesn’t connect the dots between world events and the climate crisis. And social media “activism” that begins and ends on a screen.

That’s what we’re discussing on our episode today with Elson Bankoff, a young climate activist from Washington DC. She runs a biweekly environmental justice magazine called Ecosystemic. She has seen the power of organizing and sees this publication as a means to change the course of the movement. Ecosystemic not only provides moving art and narratives but is gradually becoming a political force through their goal of creating Proactive Media.

Read Elson's manifesto on proactive media here.

Season 6 takes the creative liberty to explore topics our podcasters are passionate about. From individuals to communities impacting the climate landscape, take a listen to the episodes that speak to you!

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Host: Katherine Li

Writer/Producer: Katherine Li

Guest: Elson Bankoff

Audio Editor: Katherine Li