All Hands on Deck

"My advice to climate advocates is to seek out the joy and hope amidst the despair and apathy."

Kumi Naidoo

Basilisk

The power to inspire, drive change, and make a difference is within each of us. Regardless of our profession, every job has the potential to become a climate job. Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed the transformative potential of determined individuals and successful campaigns. Now, it’s time to use our unique skills and superpowers to push for impactful changes to tackle the climate crisis.Ā 

As history has shown us, harnessing the collective will and enthusiasm of diverse groups is the path to achieve transformation. From urban planners to campaigners working with NGOs, everyone has a role to play. The climate crisis requires us to be a united force ā€” drawing from the lessons of the past, the innovations of the present, and the possibilities of the future.

Will Travis

Will Travis

FOUNDER | ELEVATION BARN

Returning to Community

The term ‘community’ has been diluted, losing the essence of togetherness. Community is more than a cluster of LinkedIn profiles, itā€™s a collective driven by common goals. Elevation Barn is focused on building such purpose-driven communities, tackling challenges larger than ourselves and necessitating unity for meaningful change. The moment we start siloing ourselves, believing we’re the only ones capable of achieving something, we lose sight of others’ skills and contributions.Ā 

Consider building a raftā€”you can’t accomplish it single-handedly. Everyone has a part to play, pulling ropes, gathering materials. It’s the embodiment of collaborative action and impact. This bonding happens at our retreats. But it’s about more than mere bonding; it’s the power of collective impact. What we need is a safe space for united collaboration and shared problem-solving, something our Barns strive to provide. We foster diversity of thought, supporting those who feel isolated and overwhelmed by global challenges and reminding them they aren’t alone ā€” we can help each other, and the joy isn’t in business itself but in the impact it can generate.

Collaboration is not only possible but fundamental, as seen both in nature and human societies ā€” from child-rearing to gardening. We’re not designed to operate in solitude. We thrive in collective and diverse thinking, and many global change makers are known not for their solo efforts, but for their collaborative mindset.

Governmental action in climate change is still lagging behind: countries have committed to the goals set by the Paris Agreement, however there is a mismatch between actions taken and the objectives. In this context, metropolitan areas have become more relevant, as they host around 55% of the worldā€™s population. Cities have gained a prominent role in tackling climate change, by establishing the C40 Cities Climate Leadership and adopting the New Urban Agenda, focusing on sustainable urban planning, job creation and improved quality of life. Cities like Barcelona have been actively working on promoting sustainable mobility, inclusive policies on housing, social inclusion and gender equality.1

However, to create equitable, holistic and representative solutions to the current state of the world, every group in society will need to be engaged and consulted in a way that is accessible and relevant to their lived experience. Especially historically marginalized groups such as people of color, disabled, LGBTQ+, working class, religious groups, Tribal communities and women will need to be actively involved in communications as they tend to be under-represented both in climate conversations and decision-making spaces.

Omnia El Omrani

Omnia El Omrani

COP27 PRESIDENT YOUTH ENVOY | COP27 PRESIDENCY

The Importance of Youth Involvement in Shaping Climate Communication

Involving young people in UNFCCC processes is critical – the most recent IPCC report showed that the groups that will be most affected by a hotter world are the current and the future generations. In our current trajectory that we’re in with current ambitions and commitments, we are heading towards warming of 2.8 degrees Celsius – but in order to prevent places from becoming uninhabitable, we need to limit that to 1.5 degrees. The UN recently recognized the right to a healthy and safe environment – so we also need to recognize that climate action is our human right, upon which our physical and mental health and well-being depends.

There are many challenges for young people in climate policy spaces. Tokenism is a problem, and there are spaces where we are invited but not informed or given the opportunity to speak. There is a shift in narrative happening, away from just having young representatives in country delegations, and towards actually having young climate negotiators negotiating on behalf of their countries and commenting on the decisions that are being made. Itā€™s important to have young people in meaningful leadership positions, and to be seen beyond our age, but based on our expertise.

Policymakers can help amplify the voices of young people by going beyond consultations and involve us in developing countriesā€™ climate action plans or policies for adaptation and mitigation. These policies have to be done in co-creation with young people or young experts in the field, who already work at the grassroot level within their communities – especially those in the most affected and vulnerable areas. We need meaningful opportunities to be involved and represent our communities. Working with young people around climate awareness and building resilience is so important to address the distress that especially young people feel because of the lack of political inaction towards climate change. A true Net Zero transformation will require to go beyond tokenism and really work together with young people in an honest and accountable way.

Deliberative mini-publics have been gaining traction as an effective method for co-producing policy knowledge by involving diverse, randomly selected lay-people in idea exchange processes. Deliberative democracy platforms empower citizens to shape climate change policies by allowing them to delve into complex issues, better understand their dimensions, and form more informed and reflective opinions, thus enhancing democratic legitimacy of public participation and support for ambitious climate policies.2Ā 

In climate policy, peopleā€™s assemblies have been growing in popularity as an alternative to more traditional forms of legislation. Chosen through sortition to reflect broader population demographics, a group of 50-150 participants comes together for a day (or several days) for a deliberation process on a certain question (for example: ā€œHow should the local area respond to climate change?ā€).3Ā Usually, this looks like being presented with evidence by leading scientists, allowing time to delve into the complexity of an issue. Participants then split up into focus groups (such as travel, energy, agriculture and entertainment) to create informed views. Proposals are then taken to the whole group and voted on. Peopleā€™s assemblies have been formed in some countries, such as the UK and Germany, but are as yet only advisory in nature.

Research by ACT outlines how NGOs and campaigners can build a stronger mandate for climate action and build a more diverse and powerful movement by engaging with those who are not yet engaged in climate issues ā€” the ā€œpersuadablesā€. To do this, NGOs need to adapt their communications strategies and engage with potential supporters more effectively, utilizing the information sources they consume and trust, as well as framing climate action in ways they can relate to. Because while a warming planet will affect all of our lives, the majority of people are focused on other things that matter to them more acutely. NGOs must engage with the issues that people care about the most ā€” such as local heritage and employment ā€” and combine messages of hope with pragmatic plans that demonstrate how climate action will provide benefits to people and their communities.

Case Study

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative advocates for a binding international commitment to halt the growth of fossil fuel exploration, ensuring a just and swift transition to clean energy. Despite widespread climate and emissions reduction targets in the last three decades, the fossil fuel industry has continued to expand ā€” emphasizing the need for a global treaty to stop new developments.Ā  Research confirms that using the current reserves of fossil fuels would drastically exceed safe global heating limits.Ā 

The initiative, representing a globally endorsed idea rather than just an organization, proposes a unified approach similar to past nuclear and landmine reduction treaties. To foster accountability, a Global Registry of Fossil Fuels will be established, providing transparent data on fossil fuel reserves. Supported by a diverse coalition, including governments, NGOs, the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, and notable global figures including scientists, Nobel laureates, influencers and celebrities, the treaty embodies a collective call to address the climate crisis, aligning with other global efforts and the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Climate action and advocacy can take many different forms, with different groups of people facing different barriers associated with particular actions. An often-cited source for finding a meaningful and bespoke way of contributing to climate action is theĀ Climate Venn Diagram, developed by Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and inspired by the Japanese concept of Ikigai. The process involves reflecting on three questions: (1) What are you good at?, (2) What is the world that needs doing?, and (3) What brings you joy and satisfaction? The goal is to identify actions in the heart of the Venn diagram, where the three circles overlap, and dedicate as much time and energy as possible to those. According to Johnson, this will create more progress on climate solutions than focusing on individual carbon footprints.4

Most of the solutions to climate change already exist – whatā€™s missing is political will and large scale civic engagement. Project Drawdown is an expert-led project listing one hundred evidence-based climate solutions which are already available and can help the world reach ambitious climate targets by avoiding emissions and/or by sequestering carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere.5Ā But we believe that to build a truly transformed society, we need both climate experts and creative industries to work collaboratively. Brands can help make climate communication campaigns more human, and in some cases have demonstrated their power to influence national-scale policy through the power of collaboration.

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Case Study

How Patagonia helped protect one of Europeā€™s last wild rivers

In March 2023, the Vjosa River, one of Europe’s last untamed rivers stretching over 400 kilometres from the Pindus Mountains in Greece to the Albanian Adriatic coast, was designated as Europe’s first Wild River National Park. This decision was a testament to the collaborative energy between communities, brands, and policy makers, namely environmental NGOs from the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign, Patagonia, IUCN as well as local and global experts.Ā 

By prioritizing the conservation of the Vjosa as a free-flowing river ecosystem abundant with over 1,100 animal species, some of which are globally threatened, this initiative embodies the essence of shared responsibility in environmental stewardship. The National Park not only aims to mitigate environmental challenges like pollution and deforestation, but also seeks to support the local economy through sustainable tourism. In this campaign, Patagonia, which has been a fervent supporter of this cause, exemplifies the pivotal role of brands in ecological advocacy ā€” using both financial contributions and media outlets, including documentaries, to raise awareness and realize the vision of the Vjosa Wild River National Park.

Addressing the climate crisis demands the collaboration of every individual, organization, and institution. Whether it’s by integrating sustainable practices into our professional lives, or by channeling our strengths and passions into climate action ā€” we each have an important role to play. Our approach to addressing the crisis should not only be comprehensive but also inclusive: History has repeatedly illustrated the strength that lies in unity, especially when confronting seemingly insurmountable challenges.Ā 

Our call, therefore, is not just for passive understanding, but for active engagement in climate communication and advocacy. Every conversation counts. Every action, no matter how minute, can ripple into a wave of change. Weā€™re at a moment in time where transformative solutions are within grasp, but they require collective action to be made reality. We must hone our skills as communicators and change makers, actively involve and amplify the voices of the historically marginalized, and come together around a shared vision for a sustainable future. The tools, strategies, and innovations are in our hands. Now we need all hands on deck ā€” united in purpose and driven by urgency, and the knowledge that a better future is entirely possible.

Kumi Naidoo

Kumi Naidoo

ACTIVIST | AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Whatā€™s Next for the Climate Movement?

My advice to climate advocates is to seek out the joy and hope amidst the despair and apathy. When Amnesty International was presenting its Ambassador of Consciousness award to Fridays for Future, in Washington DC in 2019, I urged Greta Thunberg and her colleagues to not let the inaction of our political and business leaders lead them to despair and deprive you of your childhood. Instead, I stressed to them to make sure that they are active in the struggle in a way that allows them to sing, dance, laugh, and build community.Ā 

The scale of change that we are talking about will require a scale of participation, both in terms of pushing for solutions, but also creating solutions that we’ve never seen before. It is currently important that we realize that this participation is important for two reasons. One is it gives us the scale of participation which makes it impossible for people in power to ignore. Secondly, we need it for our emotional and psychological resilience as climate anxiety grows on an almost exponential basis. Our ability to open pathways for people to participate in the climate struggle is going to be critically important to building physiological resilience as extreme weather events continue to grow with increasing frequency and ferocity.Ā Ā 

As the urgency of the climate crisis grows, climate movements have been increasingly attracting the participation of young people, but at the same time misinformation and disinformation has also been growing. If the climate movement wants to continue this growth and bring more people into its spheres of participation, it needs to step away from the technocratic, often jargonistic language and communication that has been used in mainstream climate advocacy. The climate movement needs to adopt a more people-centric way of communicating its analysis, ideas and solutions.Ā 

This is where the power of arts and culture need to be harnessed. Arts and culture give us the ability to speak to people on a more human level. This is not to functionalize the work and engagement of arts and culture, but it is about ensuring that arts and culture are ingrained in the work of activism. We need arts and culture to hold up a mirror to what activism is doing in the world. The amazing power of arts and Culture on its own will not deliver us climate salvation without harnessing its full potential, we certainly will not rise to the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced.

Next Up

A New Era in Climate Communications

The climate crisis is the biggest threat facing humanity ā€” but also our biggest opportunity to build a better and more sustainable future. But to do this, we have to recognize the need to Refocus. The climate crisis is not an isolated issue ā€” it is intricately connected with social justice, economic stability, and the natural ecosystems that sustain all life on earth. To tackle this polycrisis effectively, we need to view it through a multifaceted and intersectional lens.

Contributors in this Section

Will Travis

Will Travis

ELEVATION BARN

Omnia El Omrani

Omnia El Omrani

COP27 PRESIDENCY

Kumi Naidoo

Kumi Naidoo

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Notes

  1. United Cities and Local Governments. Metropolitan Areas: The Localization of the Global Agendas – How Local Action Is Transforming Territories and Communities, GOLD V 2019. metropolis; 2020.Ā https://www.metropolis.org/sites/default/files/resources/GOLD-V_Metropolitan-Areas_2020.pdfā€
  2. Muradova L, Walker H, Colli F. Climate change communication and public engagement in interpersonal deliberative settings: evidence from the Irish citizensā€™ assembly. Clim Policy. 2020;20(10):1322-1335. doi:10.1080/14693062.2020.1777928
  3. Green Alliance. Power to the People: Shaping UK Climate Policy through Deliberative Democracy. Green Alliance; 2019.Ā https://green-alliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/power_to_the_people.pdfā€
  4. Johnson AE. Climate Action Venn Diagrams. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Accessed May 23, 2023.Ā https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/climatevennā€
  5. Baker M. Europeā€™s First Wild River National Park Is Here – Patagonia Stories. Patagonia. Published March 15, 2023. Accessed September 6, 2023.Ā https://www.patagonia.com/stories/europes-first-wild-river-national-park-is-here/story-134467.html
Figure 139: Spectrum of Allies according to George Lakey, in Training for Change.
Figure 139: Spectrum of Allies according to George Lakey, in Training for Change.
Figure 140: Climate Venn Diagram by Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.
Figure 140: Climate Venn Diagram by Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.

Figure 141: Vjosa River in Albania, where plans of a dam construction were planned but withdrawn by the administrative court in Tirana. Credit: Andrew Burr.

Cover image of the white paper A New Era in Climate Communications

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