Week One

As communicators, educators, and storytellers, we aim to engage our audiences with messages that entertain, inform, and inspire action. Sometimes, however, our audiences interpret our messages differently than we intended. Especially when it comes to environmental issues such as climate change, knowing what people come to us with - their mental mindsets or preconceived thoughts — can help us shape messages that resonate and navigate tough conversations.  Social science research and communication strategies built on data are our friends!

Assignment & Discord Post

(~2 paragraphs)

• Review the Comparing Climate Change Strategies Spreadsheet and share your thoughts:

  • What common threads do you observe?

  • Do you see parallels to your current communication practices? Opportunities to improve?

• Explore your audiences and share your reactions: 

  • U.S. participants: Explore Yale’s Interactive Map on Climate Opinions 

    • Look up your area. What do the factsheets say about your audiences?

    • Is it what you expected? Are there Beliefs, Risk Perceptions, or Policy stances that surprised you?

    • How can this information inform our messaging?

  • Participants outside the U.S.: Use the Global Data Explorer from Potential Energy. 

    • Look up your area. What does the tool say about your audiences?

    • Is it what you expected? 

    • How can this information inform our messaging?

• Find an example of “climate change communications gone wrong” online or in media/communications outlets. Discuss any issues you see in the story presented (and how it’s presented) and how you would potentially reframe the communication.