Glen Alleman MSSM’s Post

✨NEW Climate Comms Resource✨ How to talk about #climatechange and the problem with doomerism 🌩️ 🗣️ This article published in Resilience looks at the importance of effectively communicating about climate change without falling into a sense of hopelessness or "doomerism". We need constructive dialogue that acknowledges the severity of the #climatecrisis while also offering a path for action and solutions 🌿 The article draws insights from a NEW study – the largest ever conducted in climate change behaviour – that delves into the impact of climate doomerism and compares it with alternative messages. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eihzYd8X #climatecomms #climatecommunications #climatecommunicators #climateaction #climateemergency #climatestorytelling

It can be difficult but we must keep hope alive, and we must keep fighting for urgent climate action now- it really is a race between enormous risks and enormous opportunities. Preventing every 0.1 degree rise in temperatures is vital, even if the 1.5 degree goal looks challenging - and climate change remains fundamentally an issue of justice between and across generations … #climatechange #climatecrisis #energytransition https://lnkd.in/ez_VvMHM

According to a recent study, climate change is set to displace a third of humanity from its most livable environment. We are living in a #ClimateEmergency. https://lnkd.in/eWHcNpny

Communicating climate science to the public is essential. But there is not one public, there are many publics, and their lives are complex. Here is some recent research that provides a data-based approach for the many publics we must reach on this critical issue. https://lnkd.in/eY7me6gi

As we face daunting predictions about our climate, the wonderful Christiana Figueres reminds us that despair does not have to be our destiny. Despite the challenges, there's significant progress and countless opportunities for action. Is it enough? Of course not, but we can choose optimism and collaboration to drive transformative change. #ClimateAction #GlobalOptimism #Sustainability #ActNow

This is worth a read, whether you're already active or still hoping to find a way to make a difference in battling our socioecological crisis. "A sense of despair is understandable, but it robs us of our agency, makes us vulnerable to mis- and disinformation, and prevents the radical collaboration we need. Doubt holds us back from taking bold action, which is why it is strategically seized upon by incumbents, who have invested millions of dollars (probably much more) in sowing uncertainty around the climate crisis and its solutions among the general public." Christiana Figueres puts it brilliantly. This is just what I needed. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand why some people choose to actively drive the collapse of our planets functions (even though I'm quite well versed in the complex behavioural patterns of my fellow species thanks to being to a social psychologist). This in turn adds to an increasing feeling of despair. We seem to be fighting the sort of malevolence, backed up by seemingly endless amounts of money, that feels impossible to conquer. Even if I haven't felt desperate to the point of giving up the fight, this article gives much needed inspiration to keep looking for the tools, skills and competencies, platforms and arenas - and most importantly, other people - I need and can use to strengthen my agency. #sustainability #ClimateCrisis #agency #StubbornOptimism

We exist to help people realise their power to take action on climate change. It may seem dark but we know there is immense hope. Let us help you to take action to secure a livable future for all. We highly recommend listening to the Outrage + Optimism podcast which helps us to embody the concept of stubborn optimism. 👊🏽💚 #climatehope #stubbornoptimism #climatechange

This is a great breakdown of types of messages on climate that work with different audiences. Gloom and doom works in a particular context (getting people to share messages on social media), but is terrible for inspiring action. Fortunately, this study considers 10 other ways of communicating that do better on this metric. Do you have a preferred way of communicating climate science to the public? After reading this article, are you inclined to refine your approach? 

"Stubborn optimist" is my way of cooping with the increasing climate change and with decision makers not doing their job to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels. Christiana point at one thing that for many years has been my approach when working with scenario analysis to guide the energy transiton. We have the opportunity to shape the future. The future is not just something that happen, we can do something. It is not easy, but we have the opportunity to act and reduce the climate impact. This also makes the word 'uncertainty' tricky when approaching the future, we need to differ between what we can impact and what is given (and can come with uncertainties). Some takeaways from Christiana Figueres' article (not in her order): 💻 🔬 We also have the responsibility – and the opportunity – to shape the future differently. We must take stock of the science, triple down on our efforts and deploy the perspective of possibility. ⏰ 🥁 A sense of despair is understandable, but it robs us of our agency, makes us vulnerable to mis- and disinformation, and prevents the radical collaboration we need. Doubt holds us back from taking bold action, which is why it is strategically seized upon by incumbents, who have invested millions of dollars (probably much more) in sowing uncertainty around the climate crisis and its solutions among the general public. 🌞 🌬For example, what has been achieved in transforming the energy system to this point, pushing against a fossil fuel industry deliberately intent on delaying progress, and within a lacklustre policy environment, is extraordinary.

Christiana Figueres « While we grapple with the current lack of #PoliticalWill, and the abhorrent #inequities of the #ClimateCrisis, we can take some comfort that so many of those who are key to designing #OurFuture have heard #ClimateScientists’ urgent warnings and are channelling their spirit by taking #PositiveAction in response: think of the #engineers reforming our #grids, the #architects, the #SocialEntrepreneurs, the #RegenerativeFarmers restoring our #soil, the #LegalAdvocates, and the #MillionsOfPeople everywhere who are advancing #NewSystems of #Care, #Repair and #Regeneration. #StateOfClimate #Governments #Business #Education #GlobalChallenges #GlobalGoals #Leadership #Leaders #ClimateAction United Nations #WMO #UNEP