FORT LAUDERDALE — Climate change’s impacts range from rising temperatures and sea levels to flooding and droughts. This influences the Earth, its inhabitants and resources in multiple ways, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

So, all things considered, the climate crisis can be an anxiety-inducing topic.

Grappling with feelings about climate change, Ashley Stokes, filmmaker with WEDU PBS in Tampa, decided to take action with what she knows how to do – making a film. Her documentary, “Good Natured”, includes the Seminole Tribe of Florida and screened May 15 at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale with about 20 people in attendance.

“I did a lot of research on specifically people who were also experiencing eco grief and anxiety, and how they were moving through it and also creating a more sustainable future,” Stokes said. “I had originally pitched the idea because I was feeling really overwhelmed with emotions about our changing climate, and I had talked to some friends about it, and none of us really knew how to cope with it, and kind of felt alone in the process. That’s why I wanted to talk to more people about it and find experts in the field.”

After pitching the idea in 2023 and finding people to interview, Stokes went through the process of meeting and talking with them before production. She ended up connecting with the tribe’s Climate Resiliency Team.

“I had always wanted to include an Indigenous perspective, typically, because I felt that Indigenous people have always been very connected to the land, and that’s just like a root of their existence. I felt that it was really important to be able to include that,” Stokes said. “Because this was a Florida-centric documentary, I decided to reach out to the Seminole Tribe. To my surprise at the time, I didn’t know that they had a climate team. It ended up working out perfectly because they talked about, not only their connection to the land and how we are the Earth, but also that they, we’re all struggling with the climate crisis in different ways, and they’re approaching it in a way that works best for the tribe.”

Jill Horwitz, climate resiliency officer for the tribe’s Environmental Protection Office, said she is looking forward to seeing how the tribal community and others react to the film. The documentary is available to watch at wedu.org/goodnatured.

“There are a few tribal members on our own team that wanted to participate, and so they were interviewed by [Stokes] and shared their own personal stories about why climate change matters to them, what makes them nervous, what gives them hope, what do they focus on to move forward and to try to make the world and their own community a better place,” Horwitz said.

Tribal members and EPO employees Joseph John, community engagement coordinator; Krystle Bowers, assistant director; and Cody Motlow, climate resiliency coordinator, were included in the documentary.

“The land and me are one. We’re not separate. And I think most Indigenous people think that way too,” Motlow said in the documentary.

In the documentary, Stokes explores nature and connects with multiple people and experts about their feelings toward climate change and what work they are doing. She said meeting everyone and getting to interview them was one of her favorite parts.

“I believe that it gave me a broader sense and more hope on how to approach the climate crisis that we’re currently in. It was really cool to see that everybody really is working at it in a different way. And it solidified that not only is biodiversity important, but diversity in our approaches is the key to approaching this,” Stokes said.

Her other favorite part was filming around Florida.

“I went with a production assistant, and we canoed for eight hours in the Everglades. I really wanted to get different creatures in the environment and the mangroves in general and just be able to sit in that space and be in it. It was a really powerful experience. We spent literally all day canoeing, and there were very few people there. It was very quiet, and I felt like I got to really foster a deeper relationship with the earth,” Stokes said.

Her team at WEDU was very supportive, and she could not have done the film without them, Stokes said. A good way to start getting involved with environmental action is homing in on individual skill sets, Stokes said.

“I want people to understand that we are all interconnected. So basically, when we harm the earth or other living beings, we are ultimately harming ourselves,” Stokes said. “I also want to convey that it’s never too late, and no action is too small to make a meaningful difference. … While our approaches to creating change may differ based on our unique skills and perspectives, when each of us taps into our individual strengths, we contribute to a larger collective effort that forms a powerful, interconnected web of impact.”

The climate team with the tribe is currently working on a Climate Action Plan, which Horwitz said is aimed toward being community-centric to help brainstorm solutions.

“You see how everything is interconnected when you’re in nature more,” Bowers said in the documentary. “Maybe people don’t understand how much people impact the environment. Even though we can go out to a forest and level it down pretty quickly, they don’t see how long it takes for a tree to grow or a plant to grow. Once you go out and see how much has disappeared and not come back, I think you really start to appreciate it more and to fear what else could be lost.”

Along with spending more time in nature, coming together and having conversations about climate anxiety and solutions can be therapeutic, Horwitz said.

“Dealing with this collectively can be very helpful,” Horwitz said. “We’re just very grateful for [Stokes] to begin to tackle this topic of climate anxiety and turning towards hope to get other through collective action and individual actions. I think it’s a great message and a very inspiring film.”

Earlier this year, there was an official film screening of “Good Natured” in Tampa. Horwitz said they also wanted to host a screening on the east coast so more tribal members and community members could participate and see the film. Stokes, Horwitz and other members of the climate team hosted the Fort Lauderdale screening along with a discussion afterward where community members shared their thoughts and asked questions.

“I think it helps to lean on each other, to lean on your friends, your family, your community,” Horwitz said. “I hope that you know by us coming together, showing the film and having the discussion, people feel a greater sense of community and that they have that support, whatever support it is that they need.”