Reshaping the Conversation on Climate Change
In the past several years, we have seen an increase in the effects the extremities of weather events have left on the communities we live in. To weigh in on this important conversation, OBERLAND’s President Drew Train, joined a panel hosted by Upworthy with leaders from The Weather Channel and Climate Reality to discuss how brands, nonprofits and media can successfully talk about climate change.
We’ve seen the impacts of climate change on a global and unprecedented scale from the shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding. However, with these increasing catastrophic weather events, we’re seeing fewer media channels, brands and nonprofits addressing climate change head on, and it’s becoming apparent that the discussion on how we approach climate change is more critical than ever. From the important dialogue that came about, here are a few take aways that can help bring climate action to the forefront:
Key Takeaways:
- Start locally: Media outlets, brands and nonprofits have the opportunity to highlight the progress that grassroot leaders, everyday citizens and cities are accomplishing by showcasing the policies they’re voting in and promoting how cities are taking on urban design challenges.
- Frame the conversation as an opportunity: Climate change shouldn’t only be looked at through one lens. As this issue affects more than one industry and demographic, we need to address the changes and developments that have come about from this crisis. It’s an opportunity to reframe this big issue by focusing on smaller aspects to make it more digestible.
- Message the Language to Each Tribe: In order to catalyze community involvement to create solutions, we can’t stick to the same messaging tactics for all groups of people. We need to message in the language that tribes use and understand in order to make an impact.
- Use your Voice: Being a bystander is no longer an option. Our current and rising generations are demanding greater transparency and awareness for media channels to be more socially proactive. This translates to local community papers and mainstream broadcasting channels to address the current challenges affecting the communities we live in.
In order to advance climate action and create a new format for how we address climate change, we cannot work in isolation. We need participation from diverse groups of people and cooperation from leaders of varying disciplines to start addressing this issue. Only then will we be able to shift public dialogue in a new direction to catalyze solutions.
