Library hosting Emmy-winning Climate California screenings and discussions

PBS series sparks local conversations on environment, sound and storytelling

What can a documentary series filmed across California teach us about the future of Sonoma County? This winter, Sonoma County Library will host a series of screenings from “Climate California,” the PBS and Northern California Public Media documentary series that examines climate change through sound, wildlife and human resilience. Each program will include a post-screening conversation with series director Charles Loi, offering audiences a direct look at how environmental stories are captured and told.

“Progress on climate change feels more daunting than ever. We wanted to bring some fun back into the conversation. So, we take viewers up the tall redwoods, into flying electric planes and into the water with whales. You’ll walk away from each episode with a new perspective and some concrete solutions, like using AI and big data to save whales from ship strikes,” said Loi. “I hope people enjoy this sneak peek!”

Selected episodes from the series will be aired, and the screenings open with “The Songs of Strangers,” a Regional Emmy Award-winning exploration of the voices of nature, from whales and birds to elk and newts, and the people working to protect them. The schedule is as follows: 

Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library

• Episode 2 on Wednesday, December 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

• Episode 3 on Wednesday, January 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Guerneville Regional Library

• Episode 8 on Saturday, January 24, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Community members are invited to watch the entire series at norcalpublicmedia.org/environment/climate-california.

“‘Climate California’ invites a deeper conversation about our connection to the natural world. Libraries are open spaces where people of all ages can come together to think, question and imagine a better future,” said Sonoma County Library Director Erika Thibault. “I am especially excited that this series was developed and produced by our local PBS affiliate, Northern California Public Media.”  

Northern California Public Media President and CEO Darren LaShelle said their work within the Center for Environmental Reporting has been challenging, enlightening and rewarding. “The vision of our passionate producing team on ‘Climate California’ has given the community a visually beautiful, moving and hopeful show, and it makes us proud as an organization not only to present such important television but to be recognized with an Emmy Award for that work,” LaShelle added.

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged to receive an email reminder about the event at events.sonomalibrary.org.