Noelle Aarts, Connecting in times of division – on the value of good conversations
Every day we are hearing and talking about global warming and its consequences. Meanwhile, the phenomenon of climate change is widely recognized. However, opinions are far apart on the causes, consequences and, above all, what should fundamentally change. Despite the sense of urgency, necessary actions are therefore being slowed down or are not getting off the ground at all. As a result, people concerned about the future of our planet become increasingly anxious and even depressed.
Conversation may be a crucial tool for bridging differences between people from different backgrounds. However, both research and experience show that conversations between dissenters about complex problems such as the climate are not always successful: Quite often the differences are magnified rather than resolved. Why is it that we find it so complicated to talk to dissenters? How do these conversations proceed, are there patterns to be found in them, and how can we understand these? In my contribution, based on a variety of empirical studies, I will provide a thorough analysis that leads to a hopeful message for climate research and action.
Naoko Ellis and Derek Gladwin, Storying Regenerative Futures
Throughout human existence storytelling has shaped societies. Creating and communicating the language of stories empower people to engage in greater empathy, compassion, and hope. It’s not a far stretch to suggest that storytelling has a powerful sway in addressing the complexity of climate change. This plenary talk explores the climate emergency and the roles personal and social stories play in this process, particularly as an antidote to eco-paralysis. Youth climate activists have called explicitly for systems change to address the climate crisis. With such an urgent socio-ecological imperative, how can we create systems change with current and future generations? Complexity theory uncovers ever-changing interconnected elements through what is called systems. Stories, as systems themselves, contain interconnected parts, create meaning, and provide relatable trajectories into the future. If shifting systems involves narratives, then systemic stories can help people comprehend complex issues and make generative decisions and act.
Ashley Fairbanks, How Does Climate Hope Feel In Our Bodies?
Take a step back from the academics of communications and explore the roots of climate anxiety and grief in our own bodies. How do we shape climate communications that go beyond people’s thinking brains and take root in a deeper, more meaningful way to inspire hope and catalyze action?
In this talk, I’ll lead you through a breathing exercise and journaling response, then explain basic somatic principles and how they relate to current research about climate communications. We’ll look to ancestral teachings, biology, and each other to explore how climate hope can become something real and tangible within our bodies—and techniques we can use to bring more people into that hopeful sphere with us, readying them to take climate action.
Reyer Gerlagh, Stimulating climate action: scenarios versus responsibility
I followed the typical path of an engaged researcher: the first concern is good research, to publish in good academic journals, to describe and analyze. We use scenarios to inform the public and policy makers about actions and consequences. The message is familiar: business as usual likely leads to a warmer and unknown world. Many ecosystems, already under pressure, will vanish. Yet the scenarios’ messages are countered by the fossil fuel lobby: climate action will destroy jobs. I realized this to be an unequal battle. The fossil fuel lobby lies; they actively destroy climate science; they spend billions of euros. Meanwhile academics remain polite and write new scenarios. We academics are too polite. I decided to join Extinction Rebellion. I am no born activist, but I’ve learned to respect my activist-colleagues. I now cause inconvenience and upset my co-citizen. To get through the message that we need to care for planet Earth.
Jenny Pickerill, Generating hopeful climate action
What is the purpose of hope in this time of multiple crises? How can we generate hopeful action when everything seems so hopeless? Using examples from my research with eco-communities and environmentalists, this talk will argue why hope still matters and how hopeful actions remain possible and effective in climate action. Examining how such actions are communicated requires consideration of intent, language, tone, and audience, alongside analysis of failures and disconnections. This talk will explore this vital interplay between hopeful climate action and hopeful climate communication.