Experts Criticize “Twisters” for Ignoring Climate Change in Disaster Film

Hollywood’s latest weather disaster blockbuster, “Twisters” (a standalone sequel to the 1996 film “Twister”), is filled with extreme weather but carries a subtle disdain for scientists who study the weather.

The discordant note is subtle but hard to miss. Without revealing too much of the plot, “Twisters” portrays PhDs and professional scientists as cynical, selfish, and narrow-minded, while fictional YouTubers and amateur storm chasers are depicted as idealistic, compassionate, and knowledgeable about science, contrary to the stuffy professionals.

Despite this attitude, “Twisters” doesn’t mention climate change, which seems odd for a weather disaster film made in 2024. Director Lee Isaac Chung told CNN, “I wanted to make sure that we are never creating a feeling that we’re preaching a message, because that’s certainly not what I think cinema should be about. I think it should be a reflection of the world.”

Given that global heating is one of the greatest existential threats to humanity, contributing to frequent erratic and intense weather like cyclones and tornadoes, can a movie about weather disasters truly reflect the world if it ignores this significant scientific knowledge? Many climate scientists argue it cannot.

“I do think it’s an unfortunate lost opportunity that speaks to the pusillanimous nature of Hollywood these days,” said Dr. Michael E. Mann, climatologist at the University of Pennsylvania. “The science suggests we are seeing larger outbreaks and more destructive tornadoes due to human-caused climate change.”

Dr. Kevin Trenberth, a distinguished scholar at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, said that if “Twisters” avoids mentioning climate change, it is “flawed.” The movie’s premise involves a freakish series of tornadoes, and Trenberth believes climate change is causing these types of storms.

“Climate change adds heat to the system and especially heats up the ocean,” Trenberth explained. “This leads to a 10 to 20% increase in water vapor in the atmosphere, adding substantially to atmospheric instability, fueling thunderstorms and hurricanes.”

Supercell thunderstorms, which harbor tornadoes, are more likely to create them when there is enough wind shear to convert into rotation. While this factor isn’t clearly linked to climate change, the instability is, according to Trenberth.

Dr. Twila Moon, deputy lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), pointed to studies that suggest as humans increase the Earth’s temperature by emitting greenhouse gases, tornadoes could become more frequent and intense.

“Some recent research suggests potential for increased intensity or frequency of tornadoes, with variations depending on season and time of day,” Moon said. “Geography also plays an important role.”

Dr. Michael Wehner, senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, was more skeptical. He acknowledged the glaring omission of climate change from “Twisters,” noting that while global heating might be linked to the proliferation of tornadoes in recent years, the science isn’t completely settled.

“There is much about the influence of climate change on tornadoes that is not well understood,” Wehner said. “There has been an eastward shift in Tornado Alley, but it’s not clear if this is due to climate change.”

Wehner also mentioned an increase in days with clusters of tornadoes, which could align with warming trends, although evidence remains incomplete.

Dr. Mark Serreze, director of the NSIDC, also questioned the link between climate change and tornado activity. “A tornado requires a very specific set of meteorological conditions, such as the right wind shear,” Serreze said.

Some argue that “Twisters,” a movie featuring sci-fi elements like scientists dissolving a tornado, doesn’t need to focus on climate change to be entertaining. Chung suggests that such films aren’t responsible for addressing climate change as long as they entertain. Still, movies can influence viewers’ perceptions of real-world issues. The 2004 film “The Day After Tomorrow” explicitly focused on global warming and significantly influenced public opinions, making global warming a national priority.

In “Hollywood Science,” Emory University Physics Professor Sidney Perkowitz referenced a survey showing that “The Day After Tomorrow” impacted climate change risk perceptions, behavioral intentions, and policy priorities, influencing voter preferences.

This influence explains why Hollywood now has the Climate Reality Check, released by Colby College’s Matthew Schneider-Mayerson with Good Energy. It holds that movies set in the present or near future should mention climate change. Films like “Barbie,” “Nyad,” and “Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part One” earned this distinction in 2023 by acknowledging global heating.

Climate Reality Check founder Anna Jane Joyner praised “Twisters” for indirectly acknowledging the climate crisis through its characters. Joyner believes the film can raise awareness positively.

“Our research found that most viewers believe they care more about climate change than characters in TV and film,” Joyner said. “Movies that acknowledge the climate crisis made 10% more at the box office. People want these stories.”

Moon added that Hollywood has made progress in incorporating solid science into entertainment, with efforts like the Hollywood Climate Summit and Science & Entertainment Exchange. However, she believes Hollywood can do better by integrating climate-friendly actions into the background of stories.

“I’d love to see more entertainment incorporating good climate actions into the background, providing cultural examples of how we can live, work, and play in climate-aware ways,” Moon said. “Social and cultural change is key to addressing the climate crisis.”

Movies can even be prophetic about climate change. “The Day After Tomorrow” showed tornadoes tearing apart Los Angeles, which seemed absurd in 2004 but became a reality in 2023 and the premise of “Twisters” in 2024. Ironically, “The Day After Tomorrow” faced marketing restrictions against using “global warming,” a reflection of Hollywood’s historical hesitance to fully acknowledge climate change.

While the conversation around global warming has evolved over two decades, Hollywood’s reluctance to address the issue head-on remains a lingering challenge.

Source: CNN, Emory University, National Center for Atmospheric Research, NSIDC, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Colby College, Good Energy