Communicating Climate Change

This episode features a conversation with Katherine Dunn, Content Editor at the Oxford Climate Journalism Network, a program led by the University of Oxford’s Reuters Institute. It was recorded in March 2024.Through her work at the Oxford Climate Journalism Network (or OCJN) Katherine has worked with more than 500 journalists from over 100 countries, seeking to improve climate literacy and climate storytelling. In 2023, she was a co-author of the European Broadcasting Union’s, “Climate Journalism That Works”, a report on how newsrooms can better cover climate change and build a climate strategy. I actually discussed this amazing resource in a previous episode, with Alexandra Borchardt, so, though Katherine and I didn’t talk about it here, if you’re interested, you can find a link to that episode below.Before joining the Reuters Institute, Katherine spent the best part of a decade working as a reporter and editor in business journalism, with a focus on the energy and commodities markets and industries. This included a stint as editor at Fortune magazine, where she covered climate change and the energy transition. Amongst other things, Katherine and I discussed what makes an effective climate news story, the obligations of newsrooms when it comes to addressing climate issues, and the unique role of meteorologists in delivering relevant and actionable local climate insights.Additional links: About the Oxford Climate Journalism NetworkClimate news insights from The Reuters InstituteInsights on news avoidance from The Digital News Report“Find your mango” and other learnings from the OCJNThe BBC’s “Life at 50C” seriesThe New Yorker’s stories about electricians My interview with Alexandra Borchardt about the “Climate Journalism That Works” report.

This episode features a conversation with CEO and co-founder of Redwood Climate Communications, Josh Garrett. It was recorded in November 2023.Having spent more than half of his almost two decades of strategic communications and marketing experience committed to clean energy and climate tech, Josh co-founded the climate-focused advisory and public relations firm Redwood Climate Communications in September 2021 and has since led the growth of the company while maintaining its commitment to facilitating climate progress.Over the course of his career, Josh has led campaigns for climate organizations large and small, including Google Nest, Stem, and Sunrun, as well as environmental non-profits like The Nature Conservancy. Amongst other things, Josh and I discussed the state of political polarization on climate issues in the United States, what this poster child of partisanship can teach us about communicating climate change across the aisle, and which bright spots we might look to for inspiration.Additional links: Visit the Redwood Climate Communications websiteCheck out Rewiring America and Pique ActionYale Program on Climate Change Communication’s 6 Americas of Global Warming

This episode features a conversation with Project Drawdown’s Director of Storytelling and Engagement, Matt Scott. It was recorded in February 2024.Matt works to help everyday people find their role in climate solutions and climate justice at the community level. He’s the host of the climate solutions short documentary series Drawdown's Neighborhood, featured on the Weather Channel's Pattrn streaming network, and is the founding director of Drawdown Stories, both of which we get into during this conversation.Prior to his work at Project Drawdown, Matt was the global community lead for NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge, the world's largest global problem-solving hackathon, engaging over 100,000 people across more than 150 countries. He’s also worked with the Australian Government, Pivotal Ventures by Melinda Gates, USAID, the United Nations, Nike, Walmart, and the Obama White House. Amongst other things, Matt and I discussed the power of spotlighting climate solutions and the people working to implement them, how telling such stories can propagate hope and action, and the importance of passing the mic to diverse voices that often go unheard, as well as what happens when we don’t. Additional links: Submit your story to the Global Solutions Diary!Explore Drawdown StoriesGet to know Drawdown’s NeighborhoodWe can’t end the climate crisis without “passing the mic”Project Drawdown homepageYou can follow Matt on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

This episode features a conversation with communication designer, researcher, and semiotician, Dr. Laura Santamaria. It was recorded in January 2024.Laura’s work focuses on developing insights and methodologies for influencing paradigm change towards social and environmental justice. And her passion lies in empowering organisations and professionals with the necessary tools to achieve such change.With over two decades of experience in brand strategy, design innovation and cultural research, she has honed her skills across a wide array of sectors, including finance, consumer goods, fashion, charities, and startups.Laura is currently Research Lead at the Royal College of Art’s School of Communication, while continuing her work as an independent consultant in the private sector.Amongst other things, Laura and I discussed how humans, whether as individuals or in communities, construct meaning, how meanings can become appropriated or changed over time, and why deep contextual knowledge is vital to understanding how climate messages might be received by given audiences.Additional links: Laura’s paper entitled, “Seeing the Invisible: revisiting the value of critical tools in design research for social change”.Another good one entitled, “It’s All About Con[Text]: A Design Semiotics Approach for Managing Meaning-Value in Innovation Processes” from Marketing Semiotics: A Research Guide for Marketers at the Edge of Culture.The Words that Work guide, which Laura contributed to and is a great read.Plus a fascinating paper Laura shared from Wolsko, and colleagues, entitled, “Red, White, and Blue Enough to Be Green: Effects of Moral Framing on Climate Change Attitudes and Conservation Behaviors.”And some additional insight from Jane Bryson, from 2008. “Dominant, Emergent, and Residual Culture: The Dynamics of Organizational Change.”

This episode features a conversation with psychologist, Markus Appel. It was recorded in November 2023.Markus is professor of media communication at the University of Würzburg, Germany. His work sits at the intersection of psychology and communication science, with major research areas including life in the digital age, media and reality, and, most pertinent to our conversation, narratives and persuasion. Amongst other things, Markus and I discussed the ability of stories to impact people’s attitudes and behaviours, what makes some stories more persuasive than others, and some caution that communicators should keep in mind when using the powerful tool that is storytelling.Additional links: Markus’ websiteAccess Markus’ research into narratives and persuasion hereAn example of education entertainment in Ethiopian radio soap operasThe McKee Triangle of story structures

This episode features a conversation with game designer, Matt Leacock. It was recorded in January 2024.Matt is best known as a designer of cooperative games, including Pandemic, Pandemic Legacy, Forbidden Island, and Daybreak. Pandemic, first published in 2008, has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and is available in over 30 languages. Matt’s latest game, Daybreak challenges players to stop climate change. Amongst other things, Matt and I discussed the role of play in learning, the ways that games can help people understand and model complexity, and how increased interactivity can deepen audience engagement on climate issues.Photo by Owen Duffy.Additional links: Daybreak websiteDaybreak gameplay videoMatt Leacock websiteWashington Post climate warming guessing game

This episode features a conversation with Florencia Lujani, Strategy Director at ACT Climate Labs. It was recorded in November 2023.With over 15 years’ experience working at a slew of top creative agencies, Florencia is an expert in brand strategy, creative planning and ideation, as well as in consumer and cultural insights. She has developed strategies and creative campaigns for globally recognised brands and non-profits like YouTube, Friends of the Earth, KitKat, Greenpeace, Chelsea football club, O2, the Olympic Games, and many more. In her role at ACT Climate Labs, Florencia now supports climate organisations reach a new audience called “The Persuadables,” who are considered key to increasing public support for climate action. Amongst other things, Florencia and I discussed the latest research conducted to better understand the persuadables, the ways that information we’re exposed to shapes our perceptions of the world, and lessons that those working in the climate space could learn from marketing and advertising.Additional links: Visit the ACT Climate Labs websiteAccess the latest Persuadables research hereRead more about the Persuadables here

This episode features a conversation Funmibi Ogunlesi, interim Head of Messaging at NEON, an organization working to accelerate social movements through training, relationship building, incubation, and infrastructure support. It was recorded at the beginning of November 2023.In her role, Funmibi supports the likes of campaigners and activist groups in communicating their issues with effective frames and powerful messages. She was part of the Framing Climate Justice project and was one of the writers of the Climate Justice guide. She’s since gone on to write guides for COP, including on Loss and Damage. Amongst other things, Funmibi and I discussed the impact that different framing strategies can have on people’s perception of an issue, why pointing the finger at those responsible for the harms around us is essential, and how doing so can combat fatalism and help give people agency to act.Additional links: Visit the NEON websiteThe Framing Climate Justice projectThe Climate Justice guideFind more info about ULEZ hereExplore the Green New Deal Rising campaignWatch the recording of “Attack, Engage or Ignore? The role of ‘the enemy’ in climate narratives” here

This episode features a conversation Nick Oldridge, co-founder of Climate Science Breakthrough, a project working to translate the hard data of climate change into emotional, shareable, and actionable formats. It was recorded in November 2023.Nick is an advocate for climate awareness and is an ambassador for Zero Hour, a campaign in support of establishing the UK’s Climate & Ecology Bill. He dedicates himself to narrowing the divide between the general public and the complexities of climate science. Nick applies his background in marketing to his work in environmental advocacy, bringing this experience to bear in his efforts to convey intricate climate issues to a diverse audience.Motivated by a pressing need to broaden the public's grasp of climate science, in 2023, Nick co-founded Climate Science Breakthrough alongside climate communications lab, Utopia Bureau, and is focused on initiating a societal transformation that accelerates climate action. Recent videos in the Climate Science Translated series include contributions from comedians Jonathan Pie, Nish Kumar, and Jo Brand.Amongst other things, Nick and I discussed the rationale behind Climate Science Breakthrough’s work bringing together climate scientists and comedians to create viral climate content, what makes comedians a useful vehicle for this kind of information in the first place, and the value that marketing minds can bring to the climate context. Additional links: Watch the latest videos from Climate Science Breakthrough on YouTubeVisit the Climate Science Breakthrough websiteFollow the project on Instagram or Twitter.

This episode features a conversation with seasoned scholar, author, and expert on all-things activism, Professor Dana R. Fisher. It was recorded in October 2023.Dana is the Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity at American University. She’s a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Governance Studies program at The Brookings Institution, is President of the Eastern Sociological Society, and is the chair-elect of the Political Sociology section of the American Sociological Association. She served as a Contributing Author for Working Group 3 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Review, writing about citizen engagement and civic activism, and her media appearances include, to name but a few: ABC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, NPR, BBC, and CBC. And her words have appeared in likes of the Washington Post, Slate, TIME Magazine, Politico, Vox, and the New York Times. Professor Fisher has authored over 75 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and her seventh book, Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action, which formed the basis of our conversation, will be will be out in early 2024. Pre-order it here.Amongst other things, Dana and I discussed the role of disruptive tactics within the broader climate movement, the relationship between such tactics and the media, and what the future will likely hold when it comes to activism associated with the climate crisis.Additional links: Pre-order Dana’s latest book Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate ActionVisit Dana’s websiteSee Dana on TMZ talking about the radical flank effect

This episode features a conversation with Kevin Green, of international conservation and development organization, Rare. It was recorded in October 2023.Kevin leads Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment, collaborating with field staff, partners and researchers in bringing the best insights from the science of human behavior to bear on the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.Kevin, who holds a Master’s degree in international development and economics from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology from Washington and Lee University, is a faculty member of the Kinship Conservation Fellows program. He has previously held roles in research at the Nature Conservancy and the Worldwatch Institute.Amongst other things, Kevin and I discussed Rare’s eight principles for effective and inviting climate communication, the unrivaled ability that humans have for solving certain types of problems, and the challenge communicators therefore face in communicating climate change in such a way that makes it the type of problem we’re already adept at solving.Additional links: Rare’s Eight Principles for Effective & Inviting Climate CommunicationRare’s Center for Behavior & The EnvironmentSwitch by Dan and Chip Heath, a book recommendation from Kevin telling the story of the St. Lucia parrot. The smart-meter study that Kevin referred to in our chat about norms.

This episode features a conversation with international communications expert, Josephine Latu-Sanft. It was recorded in September 2023.With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, communications, and education, Josephine’s work focuses on global issues like climate change, ocean protection, and sustainable development. Advocating for the empowerment of small island developing nations or, as I’ll be calling them from now on, big ocean sustainable states, Josephine draws from her personal experience growing up in climate-vulnerable Tonga. Amongst other things, we discussed the need to challenge portrayals of climate-vulnerable peoples in the media, the ways that words can influence reality, and the power that shifting established narratives can have on the perceptions and perspectives of such communities. Additional links: Check out Josephine’s TEDX talk hereFollow Josephine on X (formerly Twitter)

This episode features a conversation with disaster communication specialist, Dr Dennis John Sumaylo. It was recorded in June 2023.In his work, Dennis investigates the intersection of pre-disaster communication and community engagement in the context of geographic isolation and socio-economic inequalities. Examining these issues has helped him design multimodal and gamified learning tools for supplementing disaster risk reduction classes in the Philippines. His new book, entitled, Engaging Isolated Communities in Disaster Preparation and Communication in the Philippines is published through Springer Nature, explores social power, relationships, and experiences as avenues to community engagement in pre-disaster communication.Amongst other things, Dennis and I discussed a range of real-world audiences and the ways that their respective experiences with disasters impact their communications needs, we delved into the roles of trust and power in disaster communication, and the value of a media spotlight when it comes to disaster recovery and relief. Additional links: Dennis’ book Engaging Isolated Communities in Disaster Preparation and Communication in the PhilippinesThe fantastic book on climate communication that led me to Dennis’ work

This episode features a conversation with Melis Figanmeşe, campaigns lead at IFRC, The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. It was recorded in June 2023.Through her work, which focuses on climate communications, Melis is tasked with bringing together 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and 14 million volunteers around the world to campaign together.In this capacity, she’s launched an award-winning campaign, #ClimateChangedMe, together with Greta Thunberg, and continues to find compelling ways to raise the alarm on the climate crisis through storytelling. Amongst other things, Melis and I discussed how stories can help audiences relate to the ways that climate change is impacting the lives of others, the importance of cutting out the jargon and communicating with accessible language, and some practical tips for running successful campaigns at scale. Additional links: The #ClimateChangedMe campaign International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

This episode features a conversation with youth climate activist and advocate of indigenous perspectives, Keshoe Isaiah. It was recorded at the end of June 2023.Keshoe, who hails from Kenya’s Maasai community, works to amplify the voices of indigenous and local communities. He is a member of Fridays For Future Kenya, contributes to Penn State’s UN-supported Global Youth Storytelling and Research Lab, serves as the country representative for Kenya at the youth-led Mock COP summit, and is also the Head of Environment and Climate Change at Kenya’s National Youth Caucus.He currently studies economics and finance at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, focusing on climate finance. Amongst other things, Keshoe and I discussed the indivisibility of nature and culture within the Maasai community, the role of indigenous perspectives in conservation and adaptation, and the power of stories to carry important information across generations. Additional links: Fridays For Future KenyaPenn State’s UN-supported Global Youth Storytelling and Research LabThe Mock COP summitKenya’s National Youth CaucusMAIN Network

This episode features a conversation with climate communications expert and business activist, Lucy von Sturmer. It was recorded in February 2023.Lucy is the initiator and chair of Creatives for Climate, a global non-profit turning professionals into change agents through training courses, collaborative projects, and a fast-growing community committing their creativity to driving positive impact. She is also CEO of The Humblebrag, an award-winning climate communications agency working to support business leaders and brands in taking a stand on social, cultural, and environmental issues. Recognized by The University of Auckland as a “40 Under 40” change-maker and featured in Forbes as a creative leader to watch, Lucy has over a decade of experience building movements and leading global brands to have a positive impact at scale.Amongst other things, Lucy and I talked about theories of change, divesting talent from polluting industries, and how inevitable personal limitations make radical collaboration a weapon of choice.Additional links: Join Creatives for ClimateCheck out the Creatives for Climate Greenwash Watch trainingWhat’s a theory of change anyway? Badvertising - Stop adverts fuelling the climate emergencyClean Creatives - Cutting ties with the fossil fuel industry

Over past episodes, we’ve heard from communications practitioners, academics, activists, and many more, all sharing their respective insights into how we might better communicate climate change. Despite the range of perspectives, though, these guests all had one thing in common: They’re adults. This time, I wanted to explore a very different worldview, that of a child, to see if there might be valuable lessons we could learn and incorporate into our own approaches to communicating climate change. And, I have to say, by the end of this episode, I think you’ll agree that there are plenty. This episode features a conversation with 11-year-old climate podcaster, Zachary Fox-DeVol. It was recorded in April 2023. Zach is the host of We The Children, a podcast discussing climate change and solutions to global warming from a kid’s perspective.Amongst other things, Zach and I talked about climate anxiety and feelings of helplessness in younger generations and the wider public, the gaps he perceives in climate communication as it stands today, how he stays up to date on climate news, and who his climate heroes are and why. I also got the chance to ask one of Zach’s moms, Carol, a few questions about the impact that raising such an engaged child has had on their family life, as well as any advice she might have for parents in a similar position.Additional links: Zach’s website can be found here.

This episode features a conversation with Solveig Zophoniasdottir, Head of Learning at the EU’s main climate innovation initiative, Climate-KIC. It was recorded in March 2023.Solveig, who’s worked to expand and facilitate the learning processes of organisations for over 15 years, focuses on skill building and shifting mindsets to catalyse transformation in the climate space. She’s an expert practitioner, working to create change both within and across different cultures, and is passionate about systems change and systems innovation. Amongst other things, Solveig and I discussed the need for systems perspectives in efforts to address the climate crisis, what communicators can learn from this kind of thinking, and the value of embracing uncertainty, complexity, and experimentation.Additional links: The Climate-KIC websiteDave Snowden - How to organise a children’s partyThe Cynefin Framework

This episode features a conversation with writer, researcher, campaigner, and advisor, Robin Webster. It was recorded at the end of March 2023.Robin, who’s been knocking around the environmental world for twenty years or so in a variety of roles, first became interested in the disconnect between political debate about climate change and how we talk about it in real life, whilst working as a campaigner for Friends of the Earth. She went on to help start the now-mighty Carbon Brief when it began life as a climate science and energy blog, and has spent – her words, not mine – more time than is healthy, digging into the intricacies of climate policy, including as a researcher for the European Climate Foundation. Robin worked at UK-based climate communication organisation, Climate Outreach, from 2018 to 2023, focusing on providing civil society campaigners with knowledge, tools, and research to help them engage all kinds of audiences on climate change. At the moment she is taking a break, which she thinks everyone in this sector should do on occasion, but I caught her just before she embarked on this new chapter.Amongst other things, Robin and I discussed the challenges associated with talking about climate change with family, friends, and others; what doing so can achieve in relation to the bigger picture; and what a good climate conversation looks like.Additional links: The Climate Outreach Talking Climate HandbookJulia Steinberger's article that Robin quoted - "The kids are not OK"Climate Outreach report on communicating climate justice with younger people across Europe is hereClimate Outreach website

This episode features a conversation with Ravi Sreenath, Managing Director of data-for-good advisory firm, Ripple Research. It was recorded in April 2023.Ripple Research operates at the intersection of data science, behavioural psychology, and social impact, collaborating with universities, international organizations, and businesses to conduct research and deliver insights on key themes including climate change, misinformation, hate speech, infodemics, ESG, and mental health. Amongst other things, Ravi and I discussed the benefits of applying big data to pressing challenges like the social impacts of climate change, what aggregated online activity can tell us about society, and how we can use those kinds of insights to create more impactful communication.Additional links: Ripple Research’s websiteRipple Research’s work on climate anxietyRipple Research’s work on climate polarization