On Tangier Island in Virginia, Mayor Ooker and his tight-knit community fight for a sea wall to save their island from disappearing into the sea within the next 20-30 years – or as soon as the next big storm hits. Many islanders do not believe climate change is caused by humans, and are deeply skeptical of climate advocates. But they still befriend three filmmakers who believe in climate change when they show up on the island. At a time of increasing polarization, the film explores topics such as why we feel so provoked by people who disagree with us. Buoyed by a hope for dialogue over debate, the film explores what it takes to listen and create meaningful conversations across ideological and cultural divides. Turns out, it’s harder than we think, but hearteningly possible. Stayers sparks self-reflective journeys on different sides of the climate conversation, inviting audiences to reimagine how we might listen to–and truly hear–each other across gulfs of polarization and fear.

Those who believe climate science and vote accordingly, frequently presume they should set the agenda. However, coastal communities like Tangier Island are on the frontlines of the issue, regardless of their views on what causes it. Climate organizations, liberal politicians, and us filmmakers included, have typically been quick to write off people who don’t believe the science, communities that are often skewed right, white, Christian, working-class, and rural. What are we missing out on by not engaging with these communities? Research shows that approaching climate issues through values, rather than science, can create less polarized conversations. With STAYERS, we aim to move the ways we communicate about climate forward, and find alternatives to polarization.