Communication has the power to be a driver of action or inaction, of hope or despair, of literacy or misinformation. When it comes to the climate crisis, we often walk a fine line between these extremes. But the strategies we use to communicate about climate, and the platform through which our messages are disseminated, are factors too important to ignore. They shape our collective response to the biggest threat facing humanity, and they urgently need overhauling.
The climate story is defined by competing interests and complex dynamics between media conglomerates and public opinion — distorting scientific knowledge and consensus. Adding to the challenge is the single-frame messages many of us are exposed to — portraying climate as an isolated issue, rather than in its full interconnectedness with social justice, the economy, and global geopolitics. Simplified and sensationalized media portrayals may raise awareness, but are also one of the key challenges we have to overcome to foster meaningful and sustained action.
By recognizing the power in every message we share, we can tackle the task ahead by rethinking the way we talk about climate change, and reshaping our collective imagination — redefining narratives that will carry us into a better and more sustainable future.
Where Have We Gone Wrong?
Climate communication has often been neglected in terms of attention, investment, funding, planning, and strategy — including by institutions and NGOs working in the climate sphere. The field is facing a difficult conundrum: while fear-based and guilt-based messaging may grab our attention, they don't necessarily inspire action. Those tactics are often perceived as manipulative and can lead to a sense of helplessness, hopelessness and even resistance among the public.
Keep readingCommunication has the power to be a driver of action or inaction, of hope or despair, of literacy or misinformation. When it comes to the climate crisis, we often walk a fine line between these extremes. But the strategies we use to communicate about climate, and the platform through which our messages are disseminated, are factors too important to ignore. They shape our collective response to the biggest threat facing humanity, and they urgently need overhauling.
The climate story is defined by competing interests and complex dynamics between media conglomerates and public opinion — distorting scientific knowledge and consensus. Adding to the challenge is the single-frame messages many of us are exposed to — portraying climate as an isolated issue, rather than in its full interconnectedness with social justice, the economy, and global geopolitics. Simplified and sensationalized media portrayals may raise awareness, but are also one of the key challenges we have to overcome to foster meaningful and sustained action.
By recognizing the power in every message we share, we can tackle the task ahead by rethinking the way we talk about climate change, and reshaping our collective imagination — redefining narratives that will carry us into a better and more sustainable future.
Where Have We Gone Wrong?
Climate communication has often been neglected in terms of attention, investment, funding, planning, and strategy — including by institutions and NGOs working in the climate sphere. The field is facing a difficult conundrum: while fear-based and guilt-based messaging may grab our attention, they don't necessarily inspire action. Those tactics are often perceived as manipulative and can lead to a sense of helplessness, hopelessness and even resistance among the public.
Keep reading
