Talking Climate in Alberta Amber Bennett Canadian Associate, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Talking Climate in Alberta Amber Bennett Canadian Associate, Climate Outreach June 24, 2019 | CALL

Session Overview • Intro + check-in (5 min) • Climate Context in Alberta (10 min) • Principles of Climate Communications (5 min) • Key Insights of ANP+ CNI(25 min) • Resources

Why are you here?

Climate Context in Alberta

Facts and figures rarely shift views. People adopt a story. And then they find the facts to fit.

Albertans are split.... Albertans are split about Climate Change 2% 20% 25% 19% 34% Alarmed Concerned Disengaged Skeptical Dismissive Source: Erick Lachapelle, EcoAnalytics

Climate change Climate change is an emerging issue but of low concern. Most accept that the weather is changing, but many believe it to be a natural cycle. Very few said burning of fossil fuels, prefer to talk about preparation + solutions.

Identity/inner world • Q: Do you talk about climate change with friends and family? • A: “…probably not in my [oil and gas] world because we’re in a business where we shit on the world” (Harold, The Unsaid, interview two).

Climate Engagement in AB: pressures Fear of breaking Distrust of rank environmentalists Lack of Taboo Social practices leadership/examples Loss, grief Economy physical Identity/inner systems world Shame Lack of alternatives I am not an advocate

Reframing why we resist Rather than a gap, consider a possible “tangle” of conflicts, ambivalence and defenses

Good Communications A Few Principles

Climate change is understood and believed as a socially constructed narrative conveyed by trusted communicators that reflects their identity and validates their values. 14