Kate is a lively, cheerful 15-year-old girl who likes to dance and chat with her friends. From time to time, though, her face darkens, and she becomes pensive, and you can see in her eyes the worry that is going through her head. Kate has her whole life ahead, but she is increasingly weighed down by a grey future that projects temperature changes, natural disasters, pollution and, in her innocent eyes, an almost climatic apocalypse. She wants to raise her voice, react and feel that she is contributing to the efforts addressing climate change that is perceived as unstoppable. But she doesn't even know where to start. "Can I really do anything? she asks herself.
Kate is just one of many people who every day are looking for ways to do their bit in addressing climate change, whether in the solitude of a teenager's bedroom, on the sofa watching TV News or between discussions on a bar terrace. It may seem that there is not much to do, but the truth is that there are several actions that each of us can do to communicate, and get the message across.
Let's find out how to become a climate change-maker to impact our planet constructively. It's all about understanding and taking action right now.
1. Communicate with experts
Climate scientists and experts in all continents work constantly to understand climate change, predict changes, and propose the best solutions for all in each context. They analyze climate models, collect data, and run experiments to figure out the best ways to mitigate risks and impacts and adapt to change. They dive deep into understanding the complex climate system and its global impact. They keep us updated on climate trends and help us know what's working and what needs improvement.
Local communities are the main agents, and they are also experts; they know their own environment better than anyone. We need to understand what they are facing, their concerns, and their needs well. Each place has its own risks, and each context has its solutions. Also, a lot of communities around the world have been facing climate change for centuries and we still have so much to learn and know more about their way of living, their ancestral knowledge, the specific climate change adaptation solutions they developed, their local agriculture techniques, the way they manage resources, their understanding of the cycle of nature, etc.
Improving the communication between civil society, communities, and the scientific community in a participative way will help all of us to learn from each other, including the sensitisation of the present and future risks and the local and global solutions. Find any events, conferences, Tedtalk, exhibitions, or webinars… where scientists meet citizens, where both are sharing and mutually learning.
2. Find, share trustful data and take actions
Data informs on measures, among others, on temperature, keeping track of sea levels, checking out how much carbon we're emitting, etc. All this information helps us generate and update models, keep us informed about the risks, make smart decisions, and take the right actions. We might always need more data from different places, and we need to make sure the information is easy to understand and possible to compare. Future model predictors prepare for what's coming and make inclusive plans to adapt and reduce risks of climate change, even if future prediction models can be re-oriented to the new changes that can happen; new models will always keep us informed. Scientists all around the world are working hard to collect, study, analyse and share all this data, and us, we have the possibility and opportunity to make the commitment to look for trustworthy sources of information and spread reliable content, whether on social media or in daily conversations.
Also, the way we live can affect people on the other side of the world; we all impact each other. However, everyone, everywhere, needs to have access to a healthy planet. Always remember that some communities get hit harder by the impacts of climate change. There are plenty of ways to make fair choices, thinking to all and taking action that considers everyone's resources. All small decisions and actions here can have big effects everywhere!
3. Get in touch
We all need to know that we're not alone in this matter. People worldwide face severe impacts, and fear of coming risks and work daily on these issues, and together, we find the best solutions to address climate change, locally and globally. We want to make sure everyone's voice is heard. We all need to connect and create communities of support among frontiers and borders. Exploring and looking for groups in your local area to join is an easy first step. Still, if you are passionate about climate and want to make real change happen, you can apply to become a European Climate Pact Ambassador. Check the current ambassadors and know their stories; you will realize that anyone can be a change-maker.
Also, we always learn from each other. Whether you take small or big action, don't forget to share your story of what's worked and hasn't and why. Stories help us learn from the past, and build better futures. We need more examples from different places to share stories, best practices, and connect. However, we also know that one solution might not work everywhere, so solutions need to be relevant for each context. Your voice and experience are important. And we all want you to be a part of these stories and help make the world greener.
4. Capture attention. Use psychology
If we want to be the change-maker of tomorrow and make the most effective communication on climate change, we need to know how to orient messages and how psychology and communication work, for example, understanding how we can better capture attention on climate change. In this sense, psychology explains to us that there are many different types of attention and that social influence is key because we all get influenced in one way or another about what we hear and read. This is quite useful to know for climate change communication. Take note of some tips:
We can all experiment with selective attention, like zooming in on specific details while ignoring the background noise. In climate change communication, we need clear messages that can grab our focus, for example, delivering the important stuff messages to line up so there's no confusion. The words we use and the images we show can really be game-changers, too. We've seen the influence of impactful words and shocking images. But they need to be used right. Misused words or misleading images can lead to confusion and misinformation.
What's more, you need to know that how we think about climate change can be shaped by our beliefs and what we hear.
Our beliefs can become like our own little climate change theories. We need to understand people's beliefs and concerns and create collectively a coherent picture because we know that perception bias might happen. Let's simplify complex info and match it to what people care about, switching from fear to action, and concern to hope and motivation. To get people's attention in a world full of distractions, we need eye-catching visuals on trustful information, powerful and inspiring stories, and an understanding that climate change is a matter of all. Climate science can be complex, but we can all work to simplify it using memory tricks and repetition, making it easier for everyone to understand and remember the most important info.
5. Understand your audience
Once we know how to capture the attention of our interlocutors, we need to understand them to select which message and format would be more effective. To do so, message tailoring is key and means crafting messages that resonate with your audience's needs and concerns in order to spark engagement and understanding.
Storytelling, for example, can be a really powerful tool to share stories that connect with people on an emotional level. Stories help connect people, inspire action, and create lasting memories. Also, visuals of data risks and impacts (such as infographics, videos, etc.) are eye-catching visuals that grab attention. They convey complex data and make a lasting impression, which can work with long-term memory. Social media is another powerful tool to influence people on the right information and trustful projects, using platforms to spread the word and target your audience. You can also focus on audio content, such as creating podcasts, participating in radio events, etc... These informative audio or shows are gaining popularity, and remember, we all influence each other. Collaborating with influencers by joining forces can help your message reach a broader audience. And last but not least, let's talk real. We're not here to confuse people with technical jargon. Climate action should be crystal clear. We'll break it down with visuals, analogies, and easy-to-understand language. Climate change isn't just about far-off places; it affects our daily lives. Get personal with stories that hit home and forge emotional connections that ignite change and support.
Now that you have the tools, it's time to start. Just remember that big changes often start small. You can begin with practical solutions that can be part of your daily routine. Your choices matter, and they add up.
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