According to a new study, some US bloggers are using the popular fantasy drama watched by almost 20 million people to raise awareness about climate change. Manjana Milkoreit, a research fellow at Arizona State University, states that these bloggers, including scientists and science communicators, are using "Game of Thrones" to spark public discussions about the dangers of global warming. The HBO show is part of a growing genre of TV shows, films, and novels that address climate change, known as "cli-fi." Milkoreit believes that by using the show as a tool, bloggers can make the topic of climate change more engaging and show that there are solutions to this global issue. While concerns about climate in the fictional world of Westeros may seem insignificant to some, they have sparked lively online debates in the United States about the impacts of global warming. Milkoreit, a sustainability fellow, discovered six climate-focused blogs related to "Game of Thrones" in 2013, which increased to eight blogs the following year. She anticipates that the fifth season of the show, currently airing, will lead to further discussions. These blogs draw comparisons between how the people of Westeros react to the impending threat of winter and how the real world responds to climate change, providing a helpful way to understand the complexities of climate change and politics. Is it all just fantasy, or are these fears well-founded? Some bloggers suggest that the White Walkers in "Game of Thrones," a mythical race with magical ice powers, symbolize the threat of climate change, while others see the Night's Watch, a military order guarding a giant ice wall, as representing scientists warning about impending problems. These connections to climate change in the show may not be as obvious as in movies like "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Snowpiercer," which focus more directly on the issue. Scholars have differing opinions on how well such films convey the problem and encourage action from audiences. Elizabeth Trobaugh, a professor at Holyoke Community College in Massachusetts, believes that climate change-themed films help raise awareness. "Some people view these climate fiction films as just action movies, but for others, they serve as a way to increase awareness and interest in climate issues," she explained. However, Ted Howell, who teaches a climate fiction class at Temple University in Philadelphia, believes that movie-goers might have misconceptions about the reality of climate change. He stated, "There are individuals who believe climate change will manifest as dramatic natural disasters like massive tidal waves or giant snowstorms, when in reality, it progresses more gradually." Milkoreit emphasized the challenge of striking a balance between an engaging plot and scientific accuracy, but she believes that it is important to try to inspire effective action on climate change. She added, "We need to find ways to involve people in the topic that are enjoyable and keep them interested."