Climate Communications Toolkit
This page is an introduction to our new guide to help you communicate more effectively about Climate, Energy and Transport. However, the principles set out in the toolkit could easily apply to any issue you work on.
Why do we need to change communications now?
The far right has increased its reach and influence in recent years, and we must meet the challenge. To do so we must make our voices louder and clearer, not respond to the agenda they set out for us. They have been successful in contaminating phrases like “Net Zero” and “15 Minute Cities” and unfairly placed people seeking refuge as to blame for all our problems.
There is a clear popular counter narrative, that billionaires and corporations are hoarding wealth, avoiding paying their fair share of tax and exerting undue influence on our politicians. This guide seeks to help you be clear about the real causes of the problems and use terms that are clearly understood by our audience.
Who is the climate communications toolkit for?
Anyone who wants to communicate more effectively. Even if your role is not about speaking to supporters or the public, the way you communicate matters. The way you talk to others in your group or organisation creates the template for what is normal. If we always use language that makes bad things seem less damaging it can influence how we look at fixing those problems.
How to use this toolkit
That’s up to you, but we would suggest not trying to do everything at once, look at what most immediately makes sense for you and start from there.
We are getting the booklets printed to share with other organisations, grassroots groups and other folk interested in talking effectively about how we change things for the better. Let us know if you have any feedback or if you want a physical copy.
Other useful links
1400 word summary of the toolkit
5 key takeaways from the toolkit
Ralph Underhill from Framing Matters who wrote the guide has a new website explaining common communications traps