Communicate Effectively
We have known about climate change for many years now and in this time numerous public narratives have tried to convert environmental concern into action. On the whole, this has not been successful and certainly not with the urgency required. In this section we will look at three areas to focus your organisation's communications when speaking to your team and community.
Good news! 77% of the UK population are concerned about climate change and two thirds of the population believe the government should do more or continue on with their work to balance carbon emissions by 2050 (Ipsos). These figures show that the majority of people in our teams and communities are concerned about climate change. We are in the perfect position as local trusted leaders to normalise climate action, support accessible solutions and focus on the benefits this change will bring.
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Move the narrative to a local context
Look at ways you can find out about what your team and community think of taking positive steps to tackling climate change. This will help you tailor your communication approach to local priorities and contexts. Up until now, the dominant story of climate change has been focused on science - written by those with the most power and privilege. If people cannot relate to this experience of life, often, many have concluded that climate change doesn't relate to them.
Find ways to use local knowledge and experience in your environmental conversations. Using a diversity of voices will contribute towards your community understanding how climate change (and it's solutions) relates to them.
Move the narrative to a local context
Look at ways you can find out about what your team and community think of taking positive steps to tackling climate change. This will help you tailor your communication approach to local priorities and contexts. Up until now, the dominant story of climate change has been focused on science - written by those with the most power and privilege. If people cannot relate to this experience of life, often, many have concluded that climate change doesn't relate to them.
Find ways to use local knowledge and experience in your environmental conversations. Using a diversity of voices will contribute towards your community understanding how climate change (and it's solutions) relates to them.
Move the narrative to a local context
Look at ways you can find out about what your team and community think of taking positive steps to tackling climate change. This will help you tailor your communication approach to local priorities and contexts. Up until now, the dominant story of climate change has been focused on science - written by those with the most power and privilege. If people cannot relate to this experience of life, often, many have concluded that climate change doesn't relate to them.
Find ways to use local knowledge and experience in your environmental conversations. Using a diversity of voices will contribute towards your community understanding how climate change (and it's solutions) relates to them.
Watch Olivia's Story
Olivia explains how she is shaping her climate action by understanding the daily realities of people in her community.
Watch Olivia's Story
Olivia explains how she is shaping her climate action by understanding the daily realities of people in her community.
Watch Olivia's Story
Olivia explains how she is shaping her climate action by understanding the daily realities of people in her community.
Focus on the benefits
Your message needs to raise the alarm around climate change, but also the solution. For too long, the doom and gloom of climate change has not led people to act. By focussing on the benefits of taking action, your team and community can take steps towards a future they hope for, whilst also having a positive impact on the planet. How can you convey the truth that supporting our climate and natural world does not mean a trade off for our quality of life? Think of safer streets, cosier homes and lower energy bills.
Focus on the benefits
Your message needs to raise the alarm around climate change, but also the solution. For too long, the doom and gloom of climate change has not led people to act. By focussing on the benefits of taking action, your team and community can take steps towards a future they hope for, whilst also having a positive impact on the planet. How can you convey the truth that supporting our climate and natural world does not mean a trade off for our quality of life? Think of safer streets, cosier homes and lower energy bills.
Focus on the benefits
Your message needs to raise the alarm around climate change, but also the solution. For too long, the doom and gloom of climate change has not led people to act. By focussing on the benefits of taking action, your team and community can take steps towards a future they hope for, whilst also having a positive impact on the planet. How can you convey the truth that supporting our climate and natural world does not mean a trade off for our quality of life? Think of safer streets, cosier homes and lower energy bills.
Build trust in your communication
Your organisation is in a position of trust in your community, an integral voice needed to counter the negative messaging around the solutions to climate change. It is by normalising talking about and making planet-friendly choices that climate action will become attainable. With this trust look to use local people's stories, ensure truth in your narratives and use simple language people can relate to.
Your organisation's introduction of recycling in your building may lead your staff members or service users to normalise it in their lives too. Remember, explain why these changes are important for your organisation and make each process simple and easy to understand.
Build trust in your communication
Your organisation is in a position of trust in your community, an integral voice needed to counter the negative messaging around the solutions to climate change. It is by normalising talking about and making planet-friendly choices that climate action will become attainable. With this trust look to use local people's stories, ensure truth in your narratives and use simple language people can relate to.
Your organisation's introduction of recycling in your building may lead your staff members or service users to normalise it in their lives too. Remember, explain why these changes are important for your organisation and make each process simple and easy to understand.
Build trust in your communication
Your organisation is in a position of trust in your community, an integral voice needed to counter the negative messaging around the solutions to climate change. It is by normalising talking about and making planet-friendly choices that climate action will become attainable. With this trust look to use local people's stories, ensure truth in your narratives and use simple language people can relate to.
Your organisation's introduction of recycling in your building may lead your staff members or service users to normalise it in their lives too. Remember, explain why these changes are important for your organisation and make each process simple and easy to understand.
Join a communications course
There are lots of opportunities to expand your knowledge in the North of England and online. Look into workshops and training courses that are taking place in our region. Here are some useful links to start you off.
Join a communications course
There are lots of opportunities to expand your knowledge in the North of England and online. Look into workshops and training courses that are taking place in our region. Here are some useful links to start you off.
Join a communications course
There are lots of opportunities to expand your knowledge in the North of England and online. Look into workshops and training courses that are taking place in our region. Here are some useful links to start you off.
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