Giving Nature a Voice: Filming 154 Voices for Nature.
There are productions where every frame matters, and then there are productions where every voice matters.
During London Climate Action Week 2026, Crows Nest Films had the privilege of documenting one of the most ambitious public conversations about nature ever staged. Working alongside the University of Exeter‘s Nature and Climate Impact Team, Cats Do Climate and Speakers Corner 4 Nature, we captured 154 people speaking on behalf of nature at London’s iconic Speakers’ Corner and sites around the capital.
The number wasn’t chosen at random. It marked the 154th anniversary of Speakers’ Corner, transforming one of Britain’s most historic platforms for free speech into a stage where nature itself was finally given a voice. The project invited artists, musicians, scientists, campaigners, academics and members of the public to answer a simple but profound question: If nature could speak, what would it say?
Filming in Extraordinary Conditions
The production unfolded over Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 June, as London experienced an unprecedented early summer heatwave. Temperatures soared across the capital, creating challenging filming conditions for both crew and contributors.
Our team travelled across London capturing interviews, performances and moments of reflection, ensuring every participant had the opportunity to speak for the natural world. Despite the intense heat, the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved never wavered.
A Collaborative Production
This was a true collaboration between filmmakers, researchers and campaigners.
Crows Nest Films’ crew included:
- Director & Editor: Carney James Turner
- Production Manager & Editor: Fleur Willcox-Jones
- Executive Assistant: Jeremy Gildersleve
- Camera Assistants: Schyler Rice and Sandy McGregor
Throughout the project we worked closely with Professor Gail Whiteman, Helen Clay, Michelle Roopnarine and Jennifer Minard, whose vision brought together science, culture and public engagement in a unique way.
The University of Exeter’s Nature and Climate Impact Team has been pioneering new ways to communicate climate and biodiversity research through culture, creativity and public participation. Speakers’ Corner for Nature continues that mission by reconnecting public discourse with the living world around us.
Voices from Across Culture
One of the most inspiring aspects of the project was the remarkable diversity of those who stepped up to the microphone.
Among those speaking for nature were musician Louis VI, Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, folk singer Sam Lee, climate activist Daze Aghaji, and musician, activist and producer Madame Gandhi.
We even crossed paths with social media creator Sugapuff, adding another unexpected voice to an already extraordinary week.
Alongside these well-known names were scientists, students, campaigners, families and passers-by, each contributing their own perspective. Collectively, the project became a living portrait of people united by the belief that nature deserves representation in the conversations shaping our future.
More Than a Film
As filmmakers, our role was not simply to record events, but to preserve a moment.
At a time when biodiversity loss and climate change dominate headlines, this project reminded us that meaningful change often begins with conversation. By filming 154 individual voices, we created a record of a unique moment in London’s history—where one of the world’s oldest platforms for public speech became a platform for the natural world itself.
The resulting film captures the passion, humour, urgency and hope expressed throughout the two days. It’s a celebration of public participation, creative collaboration and the enduring power of storytelling.
We’re proud to have helped bring this remarkable project to life and grateful to everyone who trusted us to document it.
Because sometimes the most important stories are the ones that allow others to speak.