Inter-Narratives: When climate communication works (and when it doesn’t)

When climate communication works (and when it doesn’t): what have we learned, and where do we go from here?

Bringing together four specialists with unique takes on what makes for powerful, effective climate communication - and why - this conversation will explore lessons learned from campaigns, case studies of climate communication that have really landed, and examples that really haven’t.

Chaired by Adam Corner (Climate Barometer), the panelists will rummage around in the climate comms back catalogue (which by now stretches over more than two decades), and shine a light on the most exciting and challenging campaigns around right now.

Are we learning from our mistakes? What’s the next frontier for campaigns to navigate in terms of communication and public engagement? What aren't we getting right yet?

Speakers:

Adam Corner - Chair

Adam is a writer, researcher and strategist specialising in public opinion on climate change. He is currently Co-Director of Climate Barometer, which monitors and makes sense of public opinion on climate change in the UK. He previously held the posts of Research Director at Climate Outreach and founding Co-Director at the centre for Climate Change & Social Transformations (CAST), and is a strategic adviser to the Local Storytelling Exchange. Adam has written commentary and analyses for international media (the Guardian, New Scientist), authored a wide range of reports, published widely in academic journals and lead-authored the book ‘Talking Climate: From Research to Practice in Public Engagement’.

Suzanne Dhaliwal

Suzanne Dhaliwal is a Climate Justice Creative & Strategist. Voted one of London's most influential people in Environment 2018 by the Evening Standard. In 2009 she co-founded the UK Tar Sands Network, which challenged BP and Shell investments in the Canadian tar sands in solidarity with frontline Indigenous communities, spurring the internationalisation of the fossil fuel divestment movement. Her corporate and financial campaigning spans over a decade. In 2017 she spearheaded a European coalition to challenge the insurance industry on their underwriting of highly polluting coal and tar sands projects. Suzanne has led campaigns and artistic interventions to challenge fossil fuel investments in the Arctic and Nigeria that violate the rights of Indigenous peoples, and of those seeking justice in the wake of the BP Gulf of Mexico disaster. Last year, she exhibited at the Venice Biennale and works as a creative consultant globally to amplify creative solutions to the climate crisis across traditional and new media.

Russell Warfield

Russell Warfield is the head of communications at the climate charity Possible. Before that, he held communications roles at the National Union of Students and the Green Party of England and Wales, including acting as Sian Berry's communications manager in the 2021 London elections. He is also a commissioning editor of book reviews at Resurgence and Ecologist.

Alex Randall

Alex is Head of Programmes at Climate Outreach. He leads the organisation’s work across several themes focusing on the communication and framing of climate change. He joined the organisation to lead Climate Outreach’s work on connections between climate change and migration. He has published widely on issues connected to climate, migration, framing and public engagement.