Greenpeace’s new animated series brings humor to climate change conversation

Greenpeace is about to change the way people talk about climate change with its new animated comedy series, My Pet Footprint.

A surreal adventure with a powerful message

My Pet Footprint is an animated comedy targeting Gen Z but created to be appreciated by audiences of all ages. The story follows a 15-year-old girl named Bella and her sentient carbon footprint, Betty. This unique duo, filled with the collective guilt of the world’s worst polluters, embarks on an extraordinary journey through time and space. Throughout the series, they witness firsthand the devastating impacts of climate change caused by major industry players like Big Oil.

Exploring a dystopian world

The show ingeniously blends dystopian drama with science fiction language and an abundance of humor. Audiences are introduced to a world where business executives have discovered how to absolve themselves of their consciences, thus transforming into the ultimate profit-driven entities. This creates unprecedented challenges for Bella and Betty, giving rise to the show’s central narrative.

Crafting a new language for climate discourse

“With My Pet Footprint, we’re not just creating a TV show – we’re igniting a movement,” explains a project manager involved with the series. Through the power of animation and comedy, the series aims to develop a fresh and engaging language to discuss climate change, designed to resonate across generations and cultures.

The animation is produced by Prague-based studio Wit & Wisdom, which boasts a significant background in socially conscious filmmaking. The series is directed by a celebrated filmmaker who trained under a renowned Czech surrealist and stop-motion expert.

Bridging the climate communication gap

The core premise of My Pet Footprint is grounded in the belief that if we can laugh at climate change, we can start addressing its issues more seriously and incorporate it into public consciousness without the usual fear and avoidance. The director emphasizes, “We want to entertain first and then educate in an emotional way, moving beyond the traditional documentary approach.”

Drawing inspiration from shows like Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which demonstrated the power of dramatization in evoking strong public reactions, the director hopes to achieve a similar effect with climate topics.

Production and distribution plans

A seven-episode plan has already been drafted, with the script for the pilot episode completed. The team plans to use this pilot to attract investors and complete the first season, possibly presenting it at festivals and markets to secure further funding.

The ambition is to make the full series available on streaming platforms. Although a YouTube release is the minimum target, the team aspires to present their pilot at festivals and attract a streaming partner willing to support the complete season production.

The creators aim to produce a series that is fun, engaging, and ultimately contributes positively to climate change discourse. If a major streaming service does not pick up the series, there is a possibility it could be adapted into a feature film format for a full festival run and eventual distribution.

Empowering audiences through innovative storytelling

My Pet Footprint stands as a testament to the potential of creative humor in engaging audiences with critical topics. This innovative approach by Greenpeace showcases how leveraging entertainment and emotion can make complex conversations about climate change more accessible and impactful.

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Explore the trailer for My Pet Footprint and join the conversation about innovative climate change education.