We take our cues about what’s important from what we hear our family, friends, colleagues and neighbours talking about. Politicians also need strong social consent to implement successful climate policies. But talking about climate change, especially beyond the green bubble, is hard. That’s why we’ve produced an evidence-based, practical guide to help make those conversations easier and more meaningful –...
Greta Thunberg has clearly inspired a momentous youth movement, but many young adults who are aware of the urgency of climate change are yet to fully immerse themselves into the new wave of climate campaigning. Young campaigners have been telling us they want to reach beyond the usual suspects of young middle-class environmentalists. Our research with young campaigners revealed that...
How do we talk about the transition to a low-carbon economy without it sounding like a threat to the livelihoods – and sense of identity – of all those who work in energy-intensive industries and the communities they support? The concept of a ‘just transition’ – where workers and communities affected by the move to a low-carbon economy are supported through a...
CDKN’s Communicating climate change: A practitioner’s guide is full of tips for communicating climate change effectively, drawn from CDKN’s experience in South Asia and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. It is by practitioners and for practitioners. If you have ever tried to explain to colleagues in your organisation, policy-makers, or the broader public how the...
What comes to mind when you think about climate change? Polar bears perhaps? Melting ice caps? But do these images make climate change feel relevant to your life? Do they motivate you to take action? Research indicates that for most audiences these images have the opposite effect. Together with the Climate Visuals team at UK-based Climate Outreach, Resource Media has...
For a long time, ‘adaptation’ was a dirty word in the campaigning world: if we can just adapt, why bother trying to reduce emissions? But whatever we do to reduce emissions, significant climate impacts are now locked in, and it’s time we started taking the communication about adapting to these risks more seriously. The practical tips and activities in our...
There is currently a lack of research into communicating the concept of net zero and why it is needed, but existing insights on climate change communication suggest the phrase net zero is a technical one that will not resonate well with the public. The purpose of this report is to test these assumptions, and make recommendations on the best ways...
“Watershed governance is about ensuring local voices and concerns shape decision-making. It’s about ensuring Indigenous jurisdiction is exercised, in coordination with other jurisdictions,” said Natasha Overduin (Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources & POLIS), lead author of the new handbook. “When it’s done right, watershed governance can help resolve water problems and conflicts, like a scarcity of water for both human...
When it comes to mainstreaming low-carbon lifestyles, why do we need to move from ‘nudge’ to ‘think’? How do we make sure we’re focusing on the behaviours and audiences that really matter? When does one sustainable behaviour lead to another? What role do positive social norms and authentic storytelling play? These are some of the questions brought together in a...
In this report we explore additional language that speaks to the values and identities of different audiences within Alberta. The report includes narratives tailored to each audience – what communicators call “sub-narratives”. The sub-narratives are intended to sit within the larger meta- narrative from Report I, giving the latter greater nuance and speci c meaning.