WHY INVEST IN THIS FILM: IN 2050, 70% OF THE POPULATION WILL LIVE IN CITIES.
Imagine our world in 2050, where seven out of ten people reside in cities. Then, the world’s population is projected to be around 9.7 billion.
That means an astonishing 6.6 billion people will be living in cities. The relentless urban migration is up from 55% since 2018, which means the brunt of climate change will be experienced in metropolises.
Now, there have been best selling books on how cities have taken control of climate crisis: such as “Climate of Hope, How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet” and “Solved: How the World’s Great Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis”. They have chronicled the stories of progressive cities, big and small, around the world: Los Angeles, Amsterdam, New York, Toronto, Oslo, Shenzhen, and Sydney, and small towns such as Georgetown, Texas.
However, since Climate of Hope was written in 2017 and since then AI, technology and even more city initiatives are taking action and making
an incredible difference in reducing global emissions and implementing sustainable solutions.
BUT WIDE AUDIENCES DON’T KNOW THIS.
WHY INVEST IN THIS FILM: IN 2050, 70% OF THE POPULATION WILL LIVE IN CITIES.
Imagine our world in 2050, where seven out of ten people reside in cities. Then, the world’s population is projected to be around 9.7 billion.
That means an astonishing 6.6 billion people will be living in cities. The relentless urban migration is up from 55% since 2018, which means the brunt of climate change will be experienced in metropolises.
Now, there have been best selling books on how cities have taken control of climate crisis: such as “Climate of Hope, How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet” and “Solved: How the World’s Great Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis”. They have chronicled the stories of progressive cities, big and small, around the world: Los Angeles, Amsterdam, New York, Toronto, Oslo, Shenzhen, and Sydney, and small towns such as Georgetown, Texas.
However, since Climate of Hope was written in 2017 and since then AI, technology and even more city initiatives are taking action and making
an incredible difference in reducing global emissions and implementing sustainable solutions.
BUT WIDE AUDIENCES DON’T KNOW THIS.
climate of hope sizzle
Welcome to a glimpse of our upcoming journey—a captivating sizzle that’s not quite a trailer but an invitation into the heart of our story. This brief preview is designed to whisk you away into the essence, themes, and compelling situations that our full narrative promises to explore.
HELP US SAVE THE WORLD
Join the Climate of Hope film fund
Donation of $5,000 and up will be directed towards the Marilyn Melkonian Hope Fund, a crucial initiative dedicated to fostering change and hope in our communities. For more details about this fund, please see the information below.
celebrating marilyn melkonian's legacy with "climate of hope"
Marilyn Melkonian life and work were imbued with a commitment to positive change and the power of hope. Her commitment to community leadership, beautification of cities, ending climate change and pollution were unwavering.
In honor of Marilyn’s legacy and her desire to see this film come to life, we are establishing a memorial and dedicating the film to her memory.
We are thrilled to introduce ‘THE MARILYN MELKONIAN HOPE FUND’. In establishing this fund, we are seeking initial “Foundational Benefactors” with donations of $5,000 and up. Your generosity can extend beyond this initial seed amount, as each contribution plays a crucial role in our mission.
Donors who are able to contribute over $50,000 will be honored as Cornerstone Benefactors, a testament to their profound impact on our cause. All donations qualify for a 501(c)(3) tax deduction. ‘Cornerstone and Foundation Benefactors’ will be listed their names in the film’s credits. For more information: please contact [email protected].
celebrating marilyn melkonian's legacy with "climate of hope"
Marilyn Melkonian life and work were imbued with a commitment to positive change and the power of hope. Her commitment to community leadership, beautification of cities, ending climate change and pollution were unwavering.
In honor of Marilyn’s legacy and her desire to see this film come to life, we are establishing a memorial and dedicating the film to her memory.
We are thrilled to introduce ‘THE MARILYN MELKONIAN HOPE FUND’. In establishing this fund, we are seeking initial “Foundational Benefactors” with donations of $5,000 and up. Your generosity can extend beyond this initial seed amount, as each contribution plays a crucial role in our mission.
Donors who are able to contribute over $50,000 will be honored as Cornerstone Benefactors, a testament to their profound impact on our cause.
All donations qualify for a 501(c)(3) tax deduction. ‘Cornerstone and Foundation Benefactors’ will be listed their names in the film’s credits. For more information: please contact [email protected].
WHY PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW CITIES ARE LEADING THE WAY!
70% of people worldwide fear the future, believing we are helpless to change or solve the climate crisis. A significant portion of this group consists of young people under the age of 40 who feel the planet is doomed.
THIS FILM WILL HELP CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE!CLIMATE OF HOPE aims to inspire hope and catalyze change. Through stories of municipalities, citizens, and families taking bold, transformative actions, we bring solutions to the greatest challenge of our time: Climate Crisis.Through the lens of families, children and neighborhoods, it highlights the urgency and feasibility of urban transformation, championing the idea that with technology, will, and heart, our cities can not only survive but thrive.
The film is a mosaic of challenges and champions, and of hope, determination and innovation. We cannot wait for national governments to agree on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We aim to inspire a new conversation that will spur more action by cities to increase the pace and scale of climate change solutions that will make the world healthier and more prosperous.
This is a story and a film that must be told and can’t be ignored.
WHY INVEST IN THIS FILM: IN 2050, 70% OF THE POPULATION WILL LIVE IN CITIES.
Imagine our world in 2050, where seven out of ten people reside in cities. Then, the world’s population is projected to be around 9.7 billion.
That means an astonishing 6.6 billion people will be living in cities. The relentless urban migration is up from 55% since 2018, which means the brunt of climate change will be experienced in metropolises.
Now, there have been best selling books on how cities have taken control of climate crisis: such as “Climate of Hope, How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet” and “Solved: How the World’s Great Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis”. They have chronicled the stories of progressive cities, big and small, around the world: Los Angeles, Amsterdam, New York, Toronto, Oslo, Shenzhen, and Sydney, and small towns such as Georgetown, Texas.
However, since Climate of Hope was written in 2017 and since then AI, technology and even more city initiatives are taking action and making
an incredible difference in reducing global emissions and implementing sustainable solutions.
BUT WIDE AUDIENCES DON’T KNOW THIS.
WHY INVEST IN THIS FILM: IN 2050, 70% OF THE POPULATION WILL LIVE IN CITIES.
Imagine our world in 2050, where seven out of ten people reside in cities. Then, the world’s population is projected to be around 9.7 billion.
That means an astonishing 6.6 billion people will be living in cities. The relentless urban migration is up from 55% since 2018, which means the brunt of climate change will be experienced in metropolises.
Now, there have been best selling books on how cities have taken control of climate crisis: such as “Climate of Hope, How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet” and “Solved: How the World’s Great Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis”. They have chronicled the stories of progressive cities, big and small, around the world: Los Angeles, Amsterdam, New York, Toronto, Oslo, Shenzhen, and Sydney, and small towns such as Georgetown, Texas.
However, since Climate of Hope was written in 2017 and since then AI, technology and even more city initiatives are taking action and making
an incredible difference in reducing global emissions and implementing sustainable solutions.
BUT WIDE AUDIENCES DON’T KNOW THIS.
NARRATIVE ARC
The camera transitions from a view of Earth to an overhead shot of a city block, capturing children at play in a schoolyard.
This visual sequence sets the stage for how we’ll interweave family and children’s narratives with insights from urban climate change and planning experts, demonstrating how CITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS are leading the way for the world when it comes to solving climate
change… and transforming urban spaces into healthier, better places to live.
We journey with these families, traversing cities across continents, watching children play, parents work, and communities thrive or struggle. This documentary doesn’t just tell the story of technological climate hope, it emphasizes that hope through the eyes of children. It underscores that every block, every neighborhood, every family matters. Climate is about more than data; it’s about human lives.
1. FRASCATI, ITALY/ESA: GUARDIANS OF THE GLOBE
BACKDROP: Ancient ruins juxtaposed against high tech Satellite monitoring systems and bustling urban life.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Bianchi’s live a stone’s throw away from the ESA headquarters. Father, Luca, works at ESA, monitoring global climate metrics, emphasizing that their efforts aren’t just for Rome, but for every neighborhood across the globe. His daughter, Sophia, 12, is aware of the broader climate context, and is actively involved in neighborhood conservation groups. And son, Carlo, 8, bikes past ancient ruins, understanding how structures crumble without care, and how our Earth’s ecosystems are also at risk of deteriorating if not properly protected.
NARRATIVE ARC: Luca’s work provides a macro view: the omnipresent eye of the ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel program watches over, capturing data, witnessing the shifts, and highlighting the profound connection between climate, cities, and neighborhood communities –– while Luca’s childrens’ ground-level activities in Rome’s neighborhoods bring
the story full circle. The dual perspectives highlight the interconnectedness of global and local climate actions.
1. FRASCATI, ITALY/ESA: GUARDIANS OF THE GLOBE
BACKDROP: Ancient ruins juxtaposed against high tech Satellite monitoring systems and bustling urban life.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Bianchi’s live a stone’s throw away from the ESA headquarters. Father, Luca, works at ESA, monitoring global climate metrics, emphasizing that their efforts aren’t just for Rome, but for every neighborhood across the globe. His daughter, Sophia, 12, is aware of the broader climate context, and is actively involved in neighborhood conservation groups. And son, Carlo, 8, bikes past ancient ruins, understanding how structures crumble without care, and how our Earth’s ecosystems are also at risk of deteriorating if not properly protected.
NARRATIVE ARC: Luca’s work provides a macro view: the omnipresent eye of the ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel program watches over, capturing data, witnessing the shifts, and highlighting the profound connection between climate, cities, and neighborhood communities –– while Luca’s childrens’ ground-level activities in Rome’s neighborhoods bring
the story full circle. The dual perspectives highlight the interconnectedness of global and local climate actions.
2. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: THE AMERICAN HEARTLAND
BACKDROP: The silhouette of factory chimneys and the slight haze
hanging in the air.
FAMILY FOCUS: Meet the Thompsons, an African-American family from the west side of Louisville. In the shadow of the industrial remnants, their youngest, Tamisha, frequently suffers from health issues, often carries an inhaler to school, a precaution against the city’s
escalating pollution and asthma rates. The rate of asthma for Black residents is roughly 30% –2.4 times higher than white residents. Their local community center organizes drives for cleaner air and her school educates the children on what to do during hazardous conditions as well as why we need to clean up our air, water, and ground. Maya is a star athlete but with each breath Maya takes, we’re reminded of the urgent need for change.
NARRATIVE ARC: The Thompson family’s fight for cleaner air in their neighborhood, juxtaposed against the children’s health concerns, emphasizing the importance of clean air for their future.
3. MUMBAI: CITY OF DREAMS AMIDST THE HAZE
BACKDROP: Dense, sprawling slums, sickening, worsening pollution against the incessant hum of traffic in a city working toward clean energy sources: solar, wind, hydro power, and geothermal energy, as well as alternative fuels like biodiesel and bioethanol.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Sharma’s, a marginalized Dalit family, live close to
Mumbai’s bustling docks. Their son, Raj, narrates tales of clearer skies
from his grandfather’s time. Yet, now, his walk to school is amidst a haze of smog. The community temple, a central gathering point, has started green initiatives, teaching children the importance of a cleaner future. The Sharma’s also face daily water shortages and pollution-driven health crises. Their younger son, Aryan, has witnessed friends fall ill from waterborne diseases.
NARRATIVE ARC: The neighborhood and the family’s plight in advocating for cleaner local air and water sources, paired with the family’s daily health preserving rituals that underscore the urgency of reversing pollution.
3. MUMBAI: CITY OF DREAMS AMIDST THE HAZE
BACKDROP: Dense, sprawling slums, sickening, worsening pollution against the incessant hum of traffic in a city working toward clean energy sources: solar, wind, hydro power, and geothermal energy, as well as alternative fuels like biodiesel and bioethanol.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Sharma’s, a marginalized Dalit family, live close to
Mumbai’s bustling docks. Their son, Raj, narrates tales of clearer skies
from his grandfather’s time. Yet, now, his walk to school is amidst a haze of smog. The community temple, a central gathering point, has started green initiatives, teaching children the importance of a cleaner future. The Sharma’s also face daily water shortages and pollution-driven health crises. Their younger son, Aryan, has witnessed friends fall ill from waterborne diseases.
NARRATIVE ARC: The neighborhood and the family’s plight in advocating for cleaner local air and water sources, paired with the family’s daily health preserving rituals that underscore the urgency of reversing pollution.
4. LOS ANGELES (SUCCESS STORY): FROM SMOG TO CLEAR SKIES
BACKDROP: The iconic LA skyline, once smog-filled, now
clear and healthy.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Gonzalez family, who have lived in LA for generations. Grandmother Marcella recalls to her granddaughter, Rosa, days when smog alerts were the norm. Now, her grandchildren play outside, under clearer skies and the community revels in the cleaner air and green spaces. Their local community center showcases the efforts LA has taken, serving as a beacon of hope.
NARRATIVE ARC: Flashbacks of LA’s smoggy days contrasted with its current state. The family’s active role in local green initiatives showcases community transformation.
5. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (SUCCESS STORY): NET ZERO EMISSIONS
BACKDROP: Scenes of bustling Amsterdam, with its efficient public transportation, canal-lined streets, eco-friendly houses with green rooftops, reinforce the dream of sustainable cities and “Net Zero realized” isn’t a distant utopia; it’s a present-day reality.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Van der Meer family relish how they commute by bicycle, use solar panels, and have witnessed Amsterdam’s evolution into an eco-paradise. Their children now cycle along the canal to their school, something their father couldn’t dream of during his childhood. Their neighborhood church meetings emphasize the principles of
stewardship for the Earth.
NARRATIVE ARC: The family’s conscious choices to reduce their carbon footprint intertwined with Amsterdam’s broader initiatives like water management and green transport.
5. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (SUCCESS STORY): CANALS CLEARING UP
BACKDROP: Scenes of bustling Amsterdam, with its efficient public transportation, canal-lined streets, eco-friendly houses with green rooftops, reinforce the dream of sustainable cities isn’t a distant utopia; it’s a present-day reality.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Van der Meer family relish how they commute by bicycle, use solar panels, and have witnessed Amsterdam’s evolution into an eco-paradise. Their children now cycle along the canal to their school, something their father couldn’t dream of during his childhood. Their neighborhood church meetings emphasize the principles of
stewardship for the Earth.
NARRATIVE ARC: The family’s conscious choices to reduce their carbon footprint intertwined with Amsterdam’s broader initiatives like water management and green transport.
6. GEORGETOWN, TEXAS: A LONESTAR LEGACY OF ILITY
BACKDROP: In the heart of red-state Texas, a surprising champion of sustainability emerged. Georgetown became the state’s very first city to be powered completely by renewable energy. This courageous leap was driven by a ideal to purchase power from a wind farm out in West
Texas. Not only did this move help the planet, but it also led to a whopping savings of over $30 million in energy costs.
FAMILY FOCUS: For the Dawson family this transformation holds special meaning. John Dawson, a third-generation cattle rancher, and his wife, Emily, a local schoolteacher, have always held a deep love for the Texan land.The Dawsons drive pickup trucks, participate in local rodeos, and hold BBQs under the starlit Texas sky. Yet, their Texan pride now includes being part of a community that’s leading the charge in sustainability.
NARRATIVE ARC: The Dawson family’s journey is emblematic of
Georgetown’s broader transformation: From solar panels one their home to water-saving methods on their ranch to Sunday sermons at their local church that touch upon the importance of taking care of God’s green Earth.
7. NAIROBI, KENYA: AFRICAN METROPOLIS RISING (AFRICAN CITY WORKING TOWARDS CLEANING UP POLLUTION)
BACKDROP: Urban landscapes flanked by national parks. This East African city is rapidly urbanizing. but with a keen eye on sustainability.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Olieno family. The family’s matriarch runs a local grocery that champions sustainable practices. They’ve faced challenges from unpredictable weather patterns and have started community sustainability events. Their son. Jamal. volunteers to work in the national parks symbolizing Africa’s proactive stride towards a greener future and preservation of wildlife.
NARRATIVE ARC: How the Olieno family educate their children about climate change and actively contribute to making Nairobi a greener and more resilient city.
7. NAIROBI, KENYA: AFRICAN METROPOLIS RISING (AFRICAN CITY WORKING TOWARDS CLEANING UP POLLUTION)
BACKDROP: Urban landscapes flanked by national parks. This East African city is rapidly urbanizing. but with a keen eye on sustainability.
FAMILY FOCUS: The Olieno family. The family’s matriarch runs a local grocery that champions sustainable practices. They’ve faced challenges from unpredictable weather patterns and have started community sustainability events. Their son. Jamal. volunteers to work in the national parks symbolizing Africa’s proactive stride towards a greener future and preservation of wildlife.
NARRATIVE ARC: How the Olieno family educate their children about climate change and actively contribute to making Nairobi a greener and more resilient city.
OUTRO
As we slowly zoom out, from the cities we’ve journeyed through, we return to the planetary view from the Copernicus Sentinel satellite. A poignant narration concludes: (this is our inspiration for the children in the audience finale).
“In the eyes of children across continents, is where the essence of our shared humanity and home truly lies. Climate change is not just a scientific phenomenon; it’s an intimate dance of survival, adaptation, and hope. From the Thompson family in Louisville to the Bianchi’s in Rome, every block, every neighborhood, and every city adds a note to our global symphony. The stakes are high, the challenges profound, but woven within are tales of resilience, transformation, foresight and
progress. Through the lens of our children and in the stories of our families, we’ve felt the weight of why this matters. We’ve seen how our fight is down to individual city blocks. We’ve glimpsed the future of super cities and the next fifty years. Yes, our children are the inheritors of dire world challenges, but they are also the heartbeat of promise for a more abundant, brighter, better future.”
The film culminates in a powerful inspirational moment where we feature children from each city showcasing projects they’re involved in or initiated in their neighborhoods.
OUTRO
As we slowly zoom out, from the cities we’ve journeyed through, we return to the planetary view from the Copernicus Sentinel satellite. A poignant narration concludes: (this is our inspiration for the children in the audience finale).
“In the eyes of children across continents, is where the essence of our shared humanity and home truly lies. Climate change is not just a scientific phenomenon; it’s an intimate dance of survival, adaptation, and hope. From the Thompson family in Louisville to the Bianchi’s in Rome, every block, every neighborhood, and every city adds a note to our global symphony. The stakes are high, the challenges profound, but woven within are tales of resilience, transformation, foresight and
progress. Through the lens of our children and in the stories of our families, we’ve felt the weight of why this matters. We’ve seen how our fight is down to individual city blocks. We’ve glimpsed the future of super cities and the next fifty years. Yes, our children are the inheritors of dire world challenges, but they are also the heartbeat of promise for a more abundant, brighter, better future.”
The film culminates in a powerful inspirational moment where we feature children from each city showcasing projects they’re involved in or initiated in their neighborhoods.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
A Film by Chris Nolan
– MEET OUR –
Multiple Emmy award wining production
and distribution team:
Chris nolan
Director, Multiple Emmy Winner
Chris is a Multiple Emmy Winning director and screenwriter, and produced 90,000 Feet, a world-class, state-of-the-art production studio with clients such as Google and Disney. Chris has written and directed documentaries such as “It’s VUCA, The Secret to Living in the 21st Century” and the recent film on AI, “Look Up Now” as well as feature-length movies, television, and hundred of hours of content and commercials. Chris has received countless industry awards and has been nominated for the Humanitas Prize, an award for film and television writing that promotes human dignity.
Mike Schindler
Executive Producer, Host
Mike is an Executive Producer, screenwriter, actor and writer for several national publications. He was the co-writer, Executive Producer and star of “It’s VUCA, The Secret to Living in the 21st Century”. He has a popular military podcast “the Military Wire”.
Laurie Nolan
Executive Producer, Writer
Laurie is an Executive Producer, screenwriter and the co-founder of 90,000 Feet. She has co-written and produced documentaries, movies, TV shows, long form content and hundreds of commercials. She was also nominated for the prestigious Humanitas Prize. Laurie’s production and marketing experience spans roles with both Fortune 500 brands and entertainment – launching successful campaigns for HBO, Showtime, Paramount, ABC, Warner Bros, and Disney.
THE BIG PICTURE
Why do so many documentaries have a hard time convincing some people of the climate dangers?
Because the human mind struggles with the abstract, the chaotic and large-scale concepts that don’t directly touch upon our local, daily experiences. Climate change, for many, feels distant, intangible, staggeringly random and complex. It’s a collection of intricate datapoints, statistics, and models that blur the communication for the
general populace.
Images, on the other hand, speak a universal language. The iconic “Blue Marble” image of Earth taken by Apollo 17 astronauts immediately brought about a Global Unity and spurred the environmental movement.This is why we start the documentary with the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel global observational capabilities – to give the audience this BIG PICTURE.
So we bridge the gap between climate data and present SIMPLE understandable, visual imagery of the health of our cities, our populations and planet locally, literally neighborhood by neighborhood, offering a real-time overview of our planet’s health.
ESA satellites provide intricate details of the vast swathes of various toxins, deadly chemicals and pollutants, wildfire deforestation, diminishing rainforests and immediate threats as well as the positive impacts of urban climate solutions.
THE BIG PICTURE
Why do so many documentaries have a hard time convincing some people of the climate dangers?
Because the human mind struggles with the abstract, the chaotic and large-scale concepts that don’t directly touch upon our local, daily experiences. Climate change, for many, feels distant, intangible, staggeringly random and complex. It’s a collection of intricate datapoints, statistics, and models that blur the communication for the
general populace.
Images, on the other hand, speak a universal language. The iconic “Blue Marble” image of Earth taken by Apollo 17 astronauts immediately brought about a Global Unity and spurred the environmental movement.This is why we start the documentary with the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel global observational capabilities – to give the audience this BIG PICTURE.
So we bridge the gap between climate data and present SIMPLE understandable, visual imagery of the health of our cities, our populations and planet locally, literally neighborhood by neighborhood, offering a real-time overview of our planet’s health.
ESA satellites provide intricate details of the vast swathes of various toxins, deadly chemicals and pollutants, wildfire deforestation, diminishing rainforests and immediate threats as well as the positive impacts of urban climate solutions.
DR. JOHN HANS GILDERBLOOM: URBAN PLANNING LEGEND
Dr. John Hans Gilderbloom’s insights and research underscore the importance of this documentary: Why cities aren’t just static structures; they are living, breathing souls with dreams, despairs and hopes. They are truly the Future of the Planet.
Dr. Gilderbloom is a legendary figure in urban affairs with significant contributions to cities worldwide in urban development, sustainability, housing, health, climate resilience and transportation.
He was advisor on Vice President Al Gore’s White House Sustainability Commission, Livable Communities initiative. He received the American Sociological Association Lifetime Achievement Award in Urban and Community Studies and is a Director for Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods in Washington D.C.
Beyond being a renowned urban planner, Dr. Gilderbloom is a visionary for seeking sustainable solutions amidst climate chaos. He has written seven award winning books, including the forthcoming book: “Climate Chaos: Killing People, Places and the Planet and What To Do About It”.
He has written countless articles, speeches and op-ed pieces appearing in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Harvard Medical Review Primary Care and the top medical Journal, Lancet. His collective works are a manifesto for our urban future that will shape a better tomorrow.