RICHARD CURTIS: laughter - and our money - as vehicles for change

By Jon Snow

Snowcast

18/04/23·42m 14s

Richard Curtis is an award-winning writer and director, who spends a great deal of his time trying to change the world.

He's best-known for his work with Comic Relief but Richard campaigns on many issues. In 2020 he launched Make My Money Matter to raise awareness that our money is a major contributor - but also a solution - to the climate crisis. The decision-makers need to step up, yes. But the individual has power too. And, with that in mind, Richard has launched a new short film (starring Rose Leslie and, that other Jon Snow, Kit Harrington) to help raise awareness of the hidden relationship between oil companies and high street banks. His message: help break them up.

In this conversation, Richard reflects on the influence of his upbringing and the visit to Ethiopia that gave him a profound sense of the simultaneity of human suffering. As well as his own education in the climate crisis, and the UN's Global Goals, which have led to a shift in his work.

After decades of fundraising and campaigning, Richard thinks his time is now better spent addressing poverty and climate change (sorry, there's not good news re. Blackadder either). Fortunately, for all of us, he remains an active optimist, who wants to continue inspiring the next generation of campaigners and creators.

To watch Richard's short film just head to makemymoneymatter.co.uk/openletter where you’ll also find information, campaign research and you can contact the Big Five UK high street banks - and ask them to stop financing fossil fuel expansion, in just two clicks.