DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Back in the ’90s, I was a college student immersed in environmental science and philosophy. My days were filled with studying ecosystems and ethics, and my evenings were spent campaigning for what we then called “global warming.” Little did I know that a profound shift was underway. By the end of that decade, the narrative had shifted: the theoretical future had become the undeniable present. Climate change was no longer just a scientific issue; it had become a political battleground, dividing communities and identities in ways that still echo today.

Nowhere was this divide more pronounced than in parts of the evangelical Christian community in the U.S. Climate denialism fused with conservative Christian identity, hardening into something more resistant to change. To accept the reality of climate science was framed as a betrayal—not just of political loyalty but of faith itself. Fossil fuel-backed lobbying groups like ExxonMobil and Koch Industries played a pivotal role in this transformation, crafting a narrative that cast environmentalism as an anti-Christian ideology. They argued that it prioritized nature over people, framed environmental regulations as threats to freedom and prosperity, and even exploited interpretations of biblical dominion theology to justify unrestricted exploitation of Earth’s resources.

These groups were not just rhetorical; they were tactical. They spread misinformation, paid “experts” to cast doubt on climate science, and weaponized moral arguments to claim that climate policies would harm the poor through rising energy costs. During the broader culture wars of the 1990s, environmentalism was painted as part of a “liberal overreach,” making climate skepticism a rallying cry for those defending what they saw as traditional American values. As the Republican Party increasingly tied itself to evangelical voters, climate denialism became embedded not just in political platforms but in identities and beliefs.

Yet even in the face of these efforts, resistance has always existed. Organizations like the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) and figures like the Christian climate scientist, Katharine Hayhoe have been working tirelessly to reclaim the narrative, showing that caring for creation is not a betrayal of faith but an essential part of it. They argue that environmental stewardship is not a political issue—it’s a moral one, a spiritual calling to protect what is sacred. And they are right. Their work reminds us that data alone is not enough; we need stories—powerful, compelling stories—to change hearts and minds.

With Been Here Stay Here, we hope to contribute to that effort. This film is an attempt to expand on their work, to create a space for conversations that bridge divides rather than deepen them. It’s an effort to reclaim the shared ground where we can meet as humans, to talk and to work together toward a common purpose.

My hope is not to win an argument or score political points. It is to spark understanding—to remind us that the climate crisis is not just a policy debate but a deeply human issue that touches all of us. We need to find the courage to come together, across all the boundaries we’ve created, to protect our fragile planet. Unless we can see this as a shared mission—not just for ourselves but for the generations to come—our ability to create meaningful change will falter. This is not just about today; it is about the future we owe to each other. It’s about finding a way to live together, in harmony with the only home we’ve ever known.