ECSC Guest Research Lecture: Jennifer Carman - How to talk about climate change

Jennifer Carman
How to talk about climate change: Insights from national and international public opinion research

Climate change is here, and it is affecting all of us. Most of us are worried about it, yet relatively few of us talk about it. This lecture will present data and best practices for how to talk about climate change, informed by national and international public opinion research conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC). Since 2008, YPCCC and George Mason University have run the Climate Change in the American Mind survey, a nationally representative survey which collects data on Americans’ attitudes, experiences, and policy support regarding climate change. Since 2022, YPCCC has also partnered with Data for Good at Meta to collect similar information in more than 190 countries and territories worldwide. Based on data from these studies, this lecture will present the five key messages for talking about climate change – and what people think about these messages. Participants will also learn about best practices for communicating about climate change, such as understanding audiences and personal storytelling, and have the opportunity to explore their own personal climate stories. Attendees will gain concrete and evidence-based guidance to help them better talk about climate change with the people in their lives.

Co-sponsored by the Climate Action Program