28 Days of Sustainability: Communicating climate change effectively

Written by Dorian Gilzene, Student Ambassador and 2nd Year Arts & Sciences Student 

As part of 28 Days of Sustainability, I attended Climate Communications 101 by Climate Outreach, a session that explored why climate discussions often feel inaccessible and how we can change that. While climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time, a major barrier to action is how we communicate about it. Too often, it’s presented as a distant, complex, or overwhelming issue, leaving people disengaged or powerless. This session provided ways to change the narrative and bring climate discussions into everyday life.

We care, but we don’t talk

One of the most striking insights was the disconnect between people acknowledging climate change as a serious issue and discussing it. Many people support climate action but don’t engage in conversations about it because they don’t know how, feel it’s too complicated, or assume others don’t care. This silence reinforces the idea that climate change is a niche concern rather than a shared responsibility.

Breaking barriers to climate engagement

The session highlighted several key obstacles that make climate discussions ineffective or unappealing. Technical jargon and complex data, such as scientific terms, graphs, and statistics, can be alienating rather than informative, making accessible and relatable language essential. Fear and fatalism also play a role, as climate change is often framed as an inevitable catastrophe, leading to paralysis rather than action.

Additionally, the ‘meaningless task’ dilemma discourages engagement, as people feel that while institutional changes are crucial, their actions won’t make a difference. Competing priorities further complicate climate action, as it must contend with other pressing personal and societal concerns. Lastly, the lack of visibility makes climate change feel abstract, as its effects are not always immediate or personal, reducing its urgency in people's daily lives.

What makes great climate communication?

The session outlined three essential qualities of effective climate communicators: passion, empathy, and credibility. 
Passion makes a message more compelling by demonstrating genuine care, while empathy creates an understanding by recognising that people have different perspectives. Credibility is crucial, as people need to trust that the communicator knows what they’re talking about, whether through expertise, lived experience, or thoughtful engagement. 
To make climate conversations more engaging, communicators should make it real by connecting climate change to people’s daily lives, make it normal by integrating climate discussions into mainstream conversations, and make it possible by showing clear, achievable actions that individuals can take.

Storytelling

One of the most effective ways to communicate climate issues is through storytelling. A great framework introduced in the session was the A, B, T technique:

• A (And) - Introduce the topic and build a narrative.
• B (But) - Present the challenge or conflict.
• T (Therefore) - Offer a resolution and a way forward.

This structure helps create a compelling, solution-focused narrative rather than just presenting a problem.

Moving forward: making climate conversations mainstream

This session reinforced that climate communication isn’t just about presenting facts, it’s about making people feel connected, informed, and empowered. To shift the narrative, we need to meet people where they are, speak to their values, and show that change is both necessary and achievable. By changing the way we talk about climate change, we can help break the silence and inspire action.

Attending Climate Communications 101 was a valuable reminder that we all have a role to play, not just in addressing climate change, but in making it a conversation that feels real, relevant, and hopeful.

This blog was written by one of our students as part of 28 Days of Sustainability 2025. You can read more about this campaign here:

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