In today’s session of the Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research, I put questions to Mark Brownlow, Creative Director at Plimsoll Productions and Dr Elizabeth White, Executive Producer at BBC Studios.

I asked them if they felt as though their coverage of climate change was governed by the surrounding politics. I cited news that the BBC made an episode of Frozen Planet which covered the topic of climate change optional for viewing in regions where it may be considered politically sensitive, such as the USA.

Mark Brownlow told me that through the airing of Blue Planet and its episode on plastic in the ocean, he sought to use emotionally driven stories and characters to tell the story of climate change. He said that this has changed in the last decade, where previously these stories may have been too heavy for audiences. Based on audience feedback, he felt that there is now much more licensing to be more overt in their storytelling when it comes to climate change. 

He emphasised that despite the political climate being influenced by climate-sceptic politicians, he hopes that coverage of climate change from trusted broadcasters such as the BBC continues to tell the story of the climate crisis.

Watch the full session here, my questioning starts at 18:30.