A NEW radio play is set to air on BBC Radio 4 exploring climate anxiety and extreme weather next week.
Chloe’s Ark is a romantic comedy based on research about how people prepare for and respond to climate risks, written by Leanne Allen.
The play stars Amy Trigg as Brooke and Harmony Rose-Bremner as Chloe, who take an Old Testament approach to the threat of a modern-day flood.
It was developed was developed through the ‘Experimental Stories’ scheme run by OKRE (Opening Knowledge across Research & Entertainment) in collaboration with Wellcome and the BBC.
Teams of writers, producers, and academics were brought together to come up with an idea for a play and pitch it for commissioning by Radio 4 drama.
The successful pitches were chosen in January this year.
Professor Hannah Cloke, from the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology and Department of Geography and Environmental Science, was an adviser to the writer and producers of the 45-minute drama.
The story has its roots in two peer-reviewed research studies, carried out by University of Reading academics and published in academic journals, about preparation for disasters and the health impacts of flooding.
Professor Cloke explained: “More people are feeling anxious about climate change as the world gets warmer and extreme weather becomes more frequent.
“Chloe’s Ark explores the importance of imagination in how people keep themselves safe from floods, as well as the lasting impacts of being flooded.
“We often hear about flood disasters on the news, but it’s important to think about climate risks without resorting to doom and gloom, which can leave people feeling powerless.
“This play raises issues about responding to extreme weather, while also raising a smile.”
Chloe’s Ark will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 2.15pm on Wednesday, November 20, and online via BBC Sounds.
