The science around the climate crisis is no longer disputable. So now the question is, what is the role each of us can play in talking about the climate with our friends, and help bring more people into this movement? How can we debunk the myths and uplift the facts? How do we balance urgency with optimism? In this episode, we’ll speak to researcher John Cook and activist Jon Leland to unpack how we can better communicate about the climate—with skeptics and believers alike. 

Featuring:

John Cook | Monash University Climate Change Communication Research Hub | Post-Doctoral Research Fellow 

Jon Leland | Kickstarter | Head of Sustainability 

Robbie Goldfarb | Meta | Critical Information Products

Sarah Sasaki Tsien | Meta | Sustainability

Show Notes:

Skeptical Science is a website developed by John Cook devoted to climate science & rebutting climate misinformation. 

Join in Jon Leland’s campaign, This Place Will Be Water.

John Cook is using cartoons to educate people on climate change with his project, Cranky Uncle. 

John Cook follows scientists Michael Mann (@MichaelEMann) and Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) for more information on the climate. 

Jon Leland reads newsletters to stay up to date on climate news: Bill McKibben, HEATED from Emily Atkin, and articles from Bloomberg Green.

Jon Leland recommends getting involved in local chapters of organizations like 350, the Sunrise Movement, and River Keepers. 

The 2021 report, Climate Change in the American Mind, referenced by Sophia and John Cook, found that only 15% of Americans think that global warming is not happening (and only 9% are “very or extremely” sure it is not happening.) The survey was conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. The report is available in full online. 

To find out more about Meta’s Sustainability initiatives, visit sustainability.fb.com.

Credits:

This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Emily Shaw, Kathleen Ottinger and by Sophia Li. The show is mixed by Sam Bair.