Jules Pretty
@julespretty.bsky.social
Emeritus Professor University of Essex
www.julespretty.com: blog, books, films, gallery, papers, pods, shodo/sumi-e, story
The Climate Chronicles
www.julespretty.com: blog, books, films, gallery, papers, pods, shodo/sumi-e, story
The Climate Chronicles
New film taster: “Living on the S-Curve: This All Could Happen Fast”
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
You're down in the long grass, possibly trapped in linear thinking & assuming change will take a very long time.
Then bam. A chasm is crossed, & life on the S-curve becomes something staggering
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
You're down in the long grass, possibly trapped in linear thinking & assuming change will take a very long time.
Then bam. A chasm is crossed, & life on the S-curve becomes something staggering
January 30, 2026 at 2:48 PM
New film taster: “Living on the S-Curve: This All Could Happen Fast”
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
You're down in the long grass, possibly trapped in linear thinking & assuming change will take a very long time.
Then bam. A chasm is crossed, & life on the S-curve becomes something staggering
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
You're down in the long grass, possibly trapped in linear thinking & assuming change will take a very long time.
Then bam. A chasm is crossed, & life on the S-curve becomes something staggering
A taster film for “The Drowning of Doggerland”
The lands were dry plain and steppe; the ice melted, the sea came up. This is the story of the Sky People of Doggerland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnNF...
The lands were dry plain and steppe; the ice melted, the sea came up. This is the story of the Sky People of Doggerland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnNF...
January 25, 2026 at 8:18 PM
A taster film for “The Drowning of Doggerland”
The lands were dry plain and steppe; the ice melted, the sea came up. This is the story of the Sky People of Doggerland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnNF...
The lands were dry plain and steppe; the ice melted, the sea came up. This is the story of the Sky People of Doggerland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnNF...
Taster for new film: "How Story (and Flow Activity) Improves Our Mental Health"
The headline: immersion and attentiveness are good for your mental health. They create a state of flow.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cl1...
The headline: immersion and attentiveness are good for your mental health. They create a state of flow.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cl1...
January 22, 2026 at 6:29 AM
Taster for new film: "How Story (and Flow Activity) Improves Our Mental Health"
The headline: immersion and attentiveness are good for your mental health. They create a state of flow.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cl1...
The headline: immersion and attentiveness are good for your mental health. They create a state of flow.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cl1...
Here's a taster for my film "What is Story"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAc_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAc_...
January 20, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Here's a taster for my film "What is Story"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAc_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAc_...
A taster for "The Magic Box - a short film about the importance of immersion and attentiveness
"The Magic Box": How Immersion Improves Farming, the Land, and Us
"Story for Climate and Nature Recovery"
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
"The Magic Box": How Immersion Improves Farming, the Land, and Us
"Story for Climate and Nature Recovery"
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
January 18, 2026 at 1:19 PM
A taster for "The Magic Box - a short film about the importance of immersion and attentiveness
"The Magic Box": How Immersion Improves Farming, the Land, and Us
"Story for Climate and Nature Recovery"
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
"The Magic Box": How Immersion Improves Farming, the Land, and Us
"Story for Climate and Nature Recovery"
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
New film: "The Magic Box: How Immersion Improves Farming, the Land and Us"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYII...
Attentiveness & immersion are good for climate & nature recovery
This is how attentiveness
Increases knowledge
Makes the land better
Regenerates at low cost – both the land and yourself.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYII...
Attentiveness & immersion are good for climate & nature recovery
This is how attentiveness
Increases knowledge
Makes the land better
Regenerates at low cost – both the land and yourself.
"The Magic Box": How Immersion Improves Farming, the Land, and Us
YouTube video by Story for Climate and Nature Recovery
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM
New film: "The Magic Box: How Immersion Improves Farming, the Land and Us"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYII...
Attentiveness & immersion are good for climate & nature recovery
This is how attentiveness
Increases knowledge
Makes the land better
Regenerates at low cost – both the land and yourself.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYII...
Attentiveness & immersion are good for climate & nature recovery
This is how attentiveness
Increases knowledge
Makes the land better
Regenerates at low cost – both the land and yourself.
"Ko Moku Rin": An Ancient Tree, Older Than the Forest It Stands In
This koan focuses our minds on the Standing People older than the forest they live in.
A veteran English oak has 700,000 leaves. It’s home to 300 species of insect. It’s a whole living planet.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
This koan focuses our minds on the Standing People older than the forest they live in.
A veteran English oak has 700,000 leaves. It’s home to 300 species of insect. It’s a whole living planet.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
031 A Koan - "Ko Moku Rin": An Ancient Tree, Older Than the Forest It Stands In - Jules Pretty
julespretty.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:43 PM
"Ko Moku Rin": An Ancient Tree, Older Than the Forest It Stands In
This koan focuses our minds on the Standing People older than the forest they live in.
A veteran English oak has 700,000 leaves. It’s home to 300 species of insect. It’s a whole living planet.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
This koan focuses our minds on the Standing People older than the forest they live in.
A veteran English oak has 700,000 leaves. It’s home to 300 species of insect. It’s a whole living planet.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
Excerpt for Film Short on The Shamans of Siberia: Saving Nature and Culture
youtu.be/rzzWR6Pe8n4
This is how nature and culture recovery work together.
The head shaman says, “We act for the mountain and river, taiga and all the landscapes of our homeland. Our main task is to protect nature.”
youtu.be/rzzWR6Pe8n4
This is how nature and culture recovery work together.
The head shaman says, “We act for the mountain and river, taiga and all the landscapes of our homeland. Our main task is to protect nature.”
December 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Excerpt for Film Short on The Shamans of Siberia: Saving Nature and Culture
youtu.be/rzzWR6Pe8n4
This is how nature and culture recovery work together.
The head shaman says, “We act for the mountain and river, taiga and all the landscapes of our homeland. Our main task is to protect nature.”
youtu.be/rzzWR6Pe8n4
This is how nature and culture recovery work together.
The head shaman says, “We act for the mountain and river, taiga and all the landscapes of our homeland. Our main task is to protect nature.”
Excerpt for Film Short on Essex Climate Action Commission.
youtu.be/YqOxqAXCh2w
Here’s how place-based action works for climate and nature recovery. Three principles: universality, many paths offered, new idea are multipurpose.
youtu.be/YqOxqAXCh2w
Here’s how place-based action works for climate and nature recovery. Three principles: universality, many paths offered, new idea are multipurpose.
December 17, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Excerpt for Film Short on Essex Climate Action Commission.
youtu.be/YqOxqAXCh2w
Here’s how place-based action works for climate and nature recovery. Three principles: universality, many paths offered, new idea are multipurpose.
youtu.be/YqOxqAXCh2w
Here’s how place-based action works for climate and nature recovery. Three principles: universality, many paths offered, new idea are multipurpose.
Climate and Nature Recovery Film Shorts
Playlist Feature 1: Story
What is good story, bad story
Transformations, tipping points, tricksters
The 20-60-20 rule – who to ignore, who best to focus on
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Playlist Feature 1: Story
What is good story, bad story
Transformations, tipping points, tricksters
The 20-60-20 rule – who to ignore, who best to focus on
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
December 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Climate and Nature Recovery Film Shorts
Playlist Feature 1: Story
What is good story, bad story
Transformations, tipping points, tricksters
The 20-60-20 rule – who to ignore, who best to focus on
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Playlist Feature 1: Story
What is good story, bad story
Transformations, tipping points, tricksters
The 20-60-20 rule – who to ignore, who best to focus on
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
“Four Methods for Creating Story Structure”
New film short published in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery” Series:
youtu.be/WPtRC5Mxfd4
This film covers these methods:
1. Transformation Prouds
2. Fortunately-Unfortunately
3. Transformation Story Spine
4. Enrichments
New film short published in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery” Series:
youtu.be/WPtRC5Mxfd4
This film covers these methods:
1. Transformation Prouds
2. Fortunately-Unfortunately
3. Transformation Story Spine
4. Enrichments
Four Methods for Creating Story Structure
YouTube video by Story for Climate and Nature Recovery
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
“Four Methods for Creating Story Structure”
New film short published in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery” Series:
youtu.be/WPtRC5Mxfd4
This film covers these methods:
1. Transformation Prouds
2. Fortunately-Unfortunately
3. Transformation Story Spine
4. Enrichments
New film short published in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery” Series:
youtu.be/WPtRC5Mxfd4
This film covers these methods:
1. Transformation Prouds
2. Fortunately-Unfortunately
3. Transformation Story Spine
4. Enrichments
"After COP30, what now? It’s actually good news"
My piece in today’s East Anglia Bylines
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
It’s the shape of story across all ages and human cultures.
You’re in a hole. Then you get out.
My piece in today’s East Anglia Bylines
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
It’s the shape of story across all ages and human cultures.
You’re in a hole. Then you get out.
After COP30, what now? It’s actually good news
It’s the shape of story across all ages and human cultures. You’re in a hole. Then you get out
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 8:51 AM
"After COP30, what now? It’s actually good news"
My piece in today’s East Anglia Bylines
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
It’s the shape of story across all ages and human cultures.
You’re in a hole. Then you get out.
My piece in today’s East Anglia Bylines
eastangliabylines.co.uk/environment/...
It’s the shape of story across all ages and human cultures.
You’re in a hole. Then you get out.
"How Dragons Link Culture and Nature: And Fill Places Full of Story"
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Dragons all over the place.
In story and saga.
Story and place and culture are intertwined.
Dragons help us tell stories. And stories make places culturally important.
We then care for them more
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Dragons all over the place.
In story and saga.
Story and place and culture are intertwined.
Dragons help us tell stories. And stories make places culturally important.
We then care for them more
November 28, 2025 at 9:32 AM
"How Dragons Link Culture and Nature: And Fill Places Full of Story"
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Dragons all over the place.
In story and saga.
Story and place and culture are intertwined.
Dragons help us tell stories. And stories make places culturally important.
We then care for them more
www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Dragons all over the place.
In story and saga.
Story and place and culture are intertwined.
Dragons help us tell stories. And stories make places culturally important.
We then care for them more
Cloud Mountain, Thunder Dragon: Stories of Gross National Happiness
Climate Cultures Blog: climatecultures.net/cultural-cha...
The rest of the world fell in a hole caused by fossil fuels, and isn’t sure how to get out. Bhutan never fell in the hole
Your age of oil, they ask? It’ll soon be over
Climate Cultures Blog: climatecultures.net/cultural-cha...
The rest of the world fell in a hole caused by fossil fuels, and isn’t sure how to get out. Bhutan never fell in the hole
Your age of oil, they ask? It’ll soon be over
November 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Cloud Mountain, Thunder Dragon: Stories of Gross National Happiness
Climate Cultures Blog: climatecultures.net/cultural-cha...
The rest of the world fell in a hole caused by fossil fuels, and isn’t sure how to get out. Bhutan never fell in the hole
Your age of oil, they ask? It’ll soon be over
Climate Cultures Blog: climatecultures.net/cultural-cha...
The rest of the world fell in a hole caused by fossil fuels, and isn’t sure how to get out. Bhutan never fell in the hole
Your age of oil, they ask? It’ll soon be over
The Whale Is Saving Us
The latest film in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6g-...
The narrative arc of this story. Down, up, and up even more.
We should be praising the whale.
Regenerating marine environments and ports, fixing carbon. The whale pump.
The latest film in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6g-...
The narrative arc of this story. Down, up, and up even more.
We should be praising the whale.
Regenerating marine environments and ports, fixing carbon. The whale pump.
The Whale Is Saving Us
YouTube video by Story for Climate and Nature Recovery
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The Whale Is Saving Us
The latest film in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6g-...
The narrative arc of this story. Down, up, and up even more.
We should be praising the whale.
Regenerating marine environments and ports, fixing carbon. The whale pump.
The latest film in the “Story for Climate and Nature Recovery.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6g-...
The narrative arc of this story. Down, up, and up even more.
We should be praising the whale.
Regenerating marine environments and ports, fixing carbon. The whale pump.
"Tricksters in Story"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8z9...
Tricksters are in all kinds of story. They're people, they're animals.
They tell of serious things in an unserious way.
Tricksters get us in the game.
Just what is needed when it comes to the climate and nature crises.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8z9...
Tricksters are in all kinds of story. They're people, they're animals.
They tell of serious things in an unserious way.
Tricksters get us in the game.
Just what is needed when it comes to the climate and nature crises.
Tricksters in Story
YouTube video by Story for Climate and Nature Recovery
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
"Tricksters in Story"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8z9...
Tricksters are in all kinds of story. They're people, they're animals.
They tell of serious things in an unserious way.
Tricksters get us in the game.
Just what is needed when it comes to the climate and nature crises.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8z9...
Tricksters are in all kinds of story. They're people, they're animals.
They tell of serious things in an unserious way.
Tricksters get us in the game.
Just what is needed when it comes to the climate and nature crises.
New YouTube channel just launched. New films on "Story for Climate and Nature Reecovery" www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Four playlists on Story, Regenerative Cultures, Sagas of Rising Seas, and Nature Recovery
Four playlists on Story, Regenerative Cultures, Sagas of Rising Seas, and Nature Recovery
Story for Climate and Nature Recovery
Story is a simple device common to every human culture. It has some 50,000 years of history, yet has often come to be both misunderstood and misused in the modern era.
Put simply, the patterns of goo...
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 PM
New YouTube channel just launched. New films on "Story for Climate and Nature Reecovery" www.youtube.com/@JulesPretty58
Four playlists on Story, Regenerative Cultures, Sagas of Rising Seas, and Nature Recovery
Four playlists on Story, Regenerative Cultures, Sagas of Rising Seas, and Nature Recovery
Reposted by Jules Pretty
On Friday @julespretty.bsky.social gave us a fascinating talk exploring how narrative, storytelling, and culture can transform climate action, nature recovery, and biodiversity conservation.
@ymalhi.bsky.social has written a reflection on the talk which you can read here
@ymalhi.bsky.social has written a reflection on the talk which you can read here
Stories for Nature Recovery: Finding Hope in the Dark Times
Yadvinder Malhi reflects on Jules Pretty's Nature Seminar lecture
naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
On Friday @julespretty.bsky.social gave us a fascinating talk exploring how narrative, storytelling, and culture can transform climate action, nature recovery, and biodiversity conservation.
@ymalhi.bsky.social has written a reflection on the talk which you can read here
@ymalhi.bsky.social has written a reflection on the talk which you can read here
026 The Shamans of Siberia
Latest in The Climate Chronicles
This is what nature recovery and regeneration looks like.
Close to the land, collective action, ritual and ceremony.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“The main task of shamans is to protect nature.”
Latest in The Climate Chronicles
This is what nature recovery and regeneration looks like.
Close to the land, collective action, ritual and ceremony.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“The main task of shamans is to protect nature.”
026 The Shamans of Siberia - Jules Pretty
julespretty.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:27 PM
026 The Shamans of Siberia
Latest in The Climate Chronicles
This is what nature recovery and regeneration looks like.
Close to the land, collective action, ritual and ceremony.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“The main task of shamans is to protect nature.”
Latest in The Climate Chronicles
This is what nature recovery and regeneration looks like.
Close to the land, collective action, ritual and ceremony.
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“The main task of shamans is to protect nature.”
025 Appy and the Eel
The Climate Chronicles
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“I first had a silver eel,” says the man to the two birds.
This is Appy.
He alone can speak Eel.
Some people there are turning back one tide. The land wet and fertile again.
All joined up in one Great Fen.
The Climate Chronicles
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“I first had a silver eel,” says the man to the two birds.
This is Appy.
He alone can speak Eel.
Some people there are turning back one tide. The land wet and fertile again.
All joined up in one Great Fen.
025 Appy and the Eel - Jules Pretty
julespretty.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:31 AM
025 Appy and the Eel
The Climate Chronicles
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“I first had a silver eel,” says the man to the two birds.
This is Appy.
He alone can speak Eel.
Some people there are turning back one tide. The land wet and fertile again.
All joined up in one Great Fen.
The Climate Chronicles
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
“I first had a silver eel,” says the man to the two birds.
This is Appy.
He alone can speak Eel.
Some people there are turning back one tide. The land wet and fertile again.
All joined up in one Great Fen.
Is A River Alive?
“Yes of course!”
Says Rob Macfarlane’s son when he hears the title of his father’s book.
“It’ll be a short one too.”
Words and story, shared, they can change the way we see the world, and our readiness to act.
Story leads to agency.
A fabulous book, compelling and kind.
“Yes of course!”
Says Rob Macfarlane’s son when he hears the title of his father’s book.
“It’ll be a short one too.”
Words and story, shared, they can change the way we see the world, and our readiness to act.
Story leads to agency.
A fabulous book, compelling and kind.
May 8, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Is A River Alive?
“Yes of course!”
Says Rob Macfarlane’s son when he hears the title of his father’s book.
“It’ll be a short one too.”
Words and story, shared, they can change the way we see the world, and our readiness to act.
Story leads to agency.
A fabulous book, compelling and kind.
“Yes of course!”
Says Rob Macfarlane’s son when he hears the title of his father’s book.
“It’ll be a short one too.”
Words and story, shared, they can change the way we see the world, and our readiness to act.
Story leads to agency.
A fabulous book, compelling and kind.
Latest in The Climate Chronicles series just posted: “Three Grapefruits.”
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
In times of crisis, words often fail us. This story starts: “I will tell of gifts and giving, she says.”
All previous 21 Chronicles also revised and updated: julespretty.com/chronicles/
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
In times of crisis, words often fail us. This story starts: “I will tell of gifts and giving, she says.”
All previous 21 Chronicles also revised and updated: julespretty.com/chronicles/
024 Three Grapefruits - Jules Pretty
julespretty.com
April 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Latest in The Climate Chronicles series just posted: “Three Grapefruits.”
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
In times of crisis, words often fail us. This story starts: “I will tell of gifts and giving, she says.”
All previous 21 Chronicles also revised and updated: julespretty.com/chronicles/
julespretty.com/chronicles/0...
In times of crisis, words often fail us. This story starts: “I will tell of gifts and giving, she says.”
All previous 21 Chronicles also revised and updated: julespretty.com/chronicles/
From the old farm
Soaked by drizzle and cherry blossom
The smell of leaking silage liquor.
Soaked by drizzle and cherry blossom
The smell of leaking silage liquor.
April 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
From the old farm
Soaked by drizzle and cherry blossom
The smell of leaking silage liquor.
Soaked by drizzle and cherry blossom
The smell of leaking silage liquor.
Under wild cherries,
While viewing bluebell blossom,
The sudden laugh of the woodpecker.
While viewing bluebell blossom,
The sudden laugh of the woodpecker.
April 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Under wild cherries,
While viewing bluebell blossom,
The sudden laugh of the woodpecker.
While viewing bluebell blossom,
The sudden laugh of the woodpecker.
The next Great Acceleration
We could call these positive hockey sticks, heading for tipping points and whole systems changing
Drawn from our 2025 paper on “Regenerative Good Growth”
Accessible here: doi.org/10.3390/su17...
We could call these positive hockey sticks, heading for tipping points and whole systems changing
Drawn from our 2025 paper on “Regenerative Good Growth”
Accessible here: doi.org/10.3390/su17...
April 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The next Great Acceleration
We could call these positive hockey sticks, heading for tipping points and whole systems changing
Drawn from our 2025 paper on “Regenerative Good Growth”
Accessible here: doi.org/10.3390/su17...
We could call these positive hockey sticks, heading for tipping points and whole systems changing
Drawn from our 2025 paper on “Regenerative Good Growth”
Accessible here: doi.org/10.3390/su17...