August 14, 2024
9am-5pm at the UBC Nest, Room 2306/09
Registration for the Pre-Conference Institute will open on May 27. Registration is free and will be open through August 12, but spaces are limited.
The Institute will be held at the UBC Nest in Meeting Rooms 2306/09, located on Level 2. Click here for directions to the venue and here for the Nest floor plan.
Online attendees will be emailed a Zoom meeting link.
Opening Session
9:00AM-9:45AM Joint Opening Ceremony with Tilburg University
The joint opening ceremony will mark the beginning of the Communicating Climate Hope Conference, livestreamed simultaneously at 9am August 14 in Vancouver and 6pm August 14 in Tilburg. It will include It will include a land acknowledgment and opening speech from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist təlnaq̕ə (Alec Guerin); welcoming remarks from the conference organizers; a poetry reading by Leah Bobet; and screening of works by the UBC Climate Storytelling Fellows.
Session 1: Belonging
9:45AM-10:10AM Gathering with Luke Wallace and Patricia Lane
Active singalong warmup and overview of the day
10:10AM-10:30AM Stories of Belonging, with Patricia Lane
In the introduction to this session, we will discuss our values and motivations for being here today.
10:320AM-10:45AM Break
10:45AM-12:00PM Values, with Patricia Lane (continued)
After the break, we’ll learn about Prof. Emily Kennedy‘s 5 Eco-Types, and discover our own Eco-Type. Next, we’ll learn about how to develop messages that will connect with others. Patricia’s presentation draws on insights from climate marketing firm Potential Energy Coalition, and ways to reach “The Persuadables” – people who are neither climate activists nor climate deniers – from work by climate communication experts ACT Climate Labs. We will continue with a discussion of why people have different values, and how to become more aware of our own blind spots. We’ll wrap up the session with a vision exercise to be completed over the lunch break.
12:00PM-12:45PM Working Lunch Break
In order to comply with venue policy, we respectfully request that if you want to eat your lunch in the meeting room, you buy your lunch from one of the AMS Nest facilities: Blue Chip Cafe (located on Level 1); Grand Noodle Emporium (located on the Lower Level) or the Gallery Patio and Lounge (located on Level 4). If you prefer a different option, please have your meal before returning to the meeting room.
Session 2: Possibility
12:45PM-1:00PM Vision, hosted by Patricia Lane with Luke Wallace
Our second session of the day will focus on imagining possibilities: what do we see if we get this right? With a creative mix of song, poetry, and humour we will imagine our legacies and the possibilities of what tomorrow can look like for future generations.
Session 3: Purpose
1:00PM-1:45PM Canada as it is, featuring James Boothroyd from EcoAnalytics Canada
Our third session of the day will focus on the goals of climate communication: what is the current state of climate change beliefs in Canada? And what can we do to move the conversation forward? Co-founder and Project Director of EcoAnalytics Canada James Boothroyd will join us to discuss what Canadians think about climate change today.
1:45PM-2:45PM Moving towards the world as it should be, hosted by Patricia Lane featuring Montana Burgess from Neighbours United
Why get Canadians talking about climate change? Patricia will discuss how compassionate conversation is a form of climate action, and how we can use compassion to change institutions. Next, guest speaker Montana Burgess from Neighbours United will join us to provide examples of effective, evidence-based approaches to climate conversation for motivating action in municipalities.
2:45PM-3:00PM Break
3:00PM-3:30PM Moving towards the world as it should be, featuring Florence Baker from the BC Sierra Club
Guest speaker Florence Baker from the BC Sierra Club will join us to provide examples of effective, evidence-based approaches to climate conversation for motivating action in civil society.
3:30PM-3:45PM Using music and art to motivate groups and crowds, with Luke Wallace and Dr. Julius Csotonyi
Musician Luke Wallace and artist Dr. Julius Csotonyi will discuss their experiences using the creative arts for effective climate communications.
3:45PM-4:15PM Putting climate communications theory into practice, with Patricia Lane
To conclude the session, we’ll turn to real-life case studies in climate communications, and try our hand at writing our own climate stories.
Session 4: Belonging
4:15PM-4:55PM Collaborative creation, with Luke Wallace and Dr. Julius Csotonyi
Our final session of the day serves to remind us of two truths: that climate action is a group effort; and art and music reach people’s emotions in ways words don’t always do. In-person attendees will participate in a collaborative songwriting activity with Luke – bring your small instrument to join the jam! Online attendees will be guided through a lesson on drawing marine life with scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi. Have your paper, sketching pencils, and colouring materials at the ready!
4:55PM-5:00PM Closing
Informal post-Institute gathering
Anyone who wants to keep the conversation going is welcome to head upstairs to the Gallery Patio & Lounge. (Drinks and snacks not provided, but are available for purchase.)