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- Maybe Gen Z isn't Woke? | July Newsletter
Maybe Gen Z isn't Woke? | July Newsletter
Hi !
The way climate conversations unfold in 2025 is changing—fast. To drive change and inspire agency you need to understand where influence happens and how to engage in culture.
At Conspirators, we have a PhD in swiping the internet and here’s what we can’t stop talking about this month: Must-See Content, Creator Real Talk, and Need-to-Reads.
Must-See-Content 📺
We can’t stop watching & sharing:
Creator Real Talk 🎤
Meet Shan Rizwan, a filmmaker, interviewer, and nyc local who’s hit over 200M views (and counting) on videos that get people talking about topics from music to food to dating and more. We sat down with Shan to get the scoop on what’s top of mind for him right now.
Q: Why did you start creating content (and why are you still doing it)?
I’ve always had an affinity for making videos. Growing up I started making videos with my mom’s flip phone and then eventually I got a camcorder and better equipment. I never thought about creating videos as a job. It was something I loved to do, so I just kept going. Now I’ve been creating videos for social for 7 years, and I just love the feeling of being creative. This is something I’m going to do for the rest of my life. Making videos is just a part of me.
Q: How do you see climate showing up in culture right now?
To be honest, I don’t see climate showing up anywhere in culture. Maybe there are people who are talking about it, but it’s not as documented or as talked about as I think it could be. I hear about extreme weather or natural disasters, which I know are a result of climate change, but besides that there isn’t really anything climate related that comes up in my feed or in conversation.
Q: If you had to talk climate in your content, how would you do it?
Taking inspiration from the TED creator workshop I went to, I’d make it fit into my own content in a way that feels additive. Since climate’s not a glamorous or exciting topic for a lot of people, I’d want to provide entertainment value along with education in order to reach people who aren’t already aware and talking about climate.
Q: Anything else?
Climate organizations and companies need to be more open to working with creators to raise awareness on climate. For Gen Z and younger folks, we get our information and spend a ton of time on social, so it seems like working with creators would be a good place to start talking about climate.
Need-to-Reads ☕
1) How to talk about climate in moments of tragedy
When navigating the level of loss we’ve seen in Texas this past week, it can be hard to work out when and how to talk about the underlying cause without feeling insensitive. In this conversation, Anand Giridharadas and Terry Moran unpack how an intergenerational, deeply human approach that leans into independent media and communicators can prompt meaningful – and respectful – conversation about climate change.
2) Gen Z isn’t as woke as you think
As millennial leaders gain institutional power, climate stories tailored to their priorities like job creation, financial efficiency, and health can drive action. But younger audiences can’t be forgotten here, and aren’t inherently on board. They’ll respond better to authentic, value‑driven narratives that reflect their digital‑native upbringing and lived anxieties. Climate needs to consider dual‑track content strategies that meet both audiences where they are.
3) Health Is a Trojan Horse for Identity (and Climate?)
On Instagram and TikTok, wellness creators are drawing in audiences with content about clean eating, fertility, hormones, and then subtly introducing conservative political views. These creators are reaching women who don’t identify as political but care deeply about health and safety. For climate, this opens up a messaging opportunity to lead with shared priorities like clean air, toxin-free food, and family well-being.
Staying ahead means staying informed.
Let us know if you want to explore how these insights apply to your work (or if there’s anything on your radar that’s not on ours 👀).
Marilla + Louis
(your co-conspirators in shifting the climate narrative 🌱)


