Empowering hope-based climate change communication techniques for the Gulf of Maine

Abstract

The Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming marine areas on the planet: The industries and creatures that call it home face an unprecedented shift in their interactions and existence. Scientists, policy makers, and practitioners often want to communicate to the public about the seriousness of the situation to encourage mitigation and adaptation. Many standard communication strategies that rely on fear and scientific authority alone—rather than comprehensive explanations that include solutions—can leave audiences feeling overwhelmed and disengaged, instead of hopeful and motivated to act. In this practice bridge, we showcase a social science research-based climate change communication “tool-kit” for the Gulf of Maine, using one example for each climate driver addressed at the Gulf of Maine 2050 Symposium (temperature and circulation: lobster fisheries; coastal and ocean acidification: seagrass restoration; sea-level rise: coastal development). Communication models that involve the head (understanding of climate change), heart (hope through agency and efficacy), and hands (intentions to participate in community action) further engagement in climate change conversations. We explain the research behind our communication framework, enabling practitioners to extend this case study to their own work.

Communicating science to motivate action: A case study of birds and climate change

“…This case study brings together multiple best practices from the climate communications literature. It serves as a template much like similar tool-kits for hope-based communication techniques for climate change (Bonanno et al, 2021). Audubon's Survival by Degrees report and accompanying digital and print products were successful at reaching and motivating to action a unique and growing constituency of bird lovers spanning political party affiliations supporting the conclusion that paired messaging (risk and hope) and localized data and storytelling can cut through partisanship.…”

Ensuring Global Health Equity in a Post-pandemic Economy: Words Count! Comment on "Ensuring Global Health Equity in a Post-pandemic Economy"

“…and "[serve] to build a connection between the speaker and the audience, creating a willingness to listen to further information. " 4 A telling example to illustrate this point is given by Anat Shenker-Osorio: "Marriage equality won out precisely because LGBT people made the debate about values of commitment and family. When they stopped talking 'rights' and started talking 'love, ' the tide turned. "…”

“…At a high level, our values are quite similar; we all want to be as healthy as possible; we want the best for our children; and we desire to be loved and treated with respect. As Bonanno et al say: “[These] shared values are widely held beliefs among the population of interest.” and “[serve] to build a connection between the speaker and the audience, creating a willingness to listen to further information.” 4 A telling example to illustrate this point is given by Anat Shenker-Osorio: “Marriage equality won out precisely because LGBT people made the debate about values of commitment and family. When they stopped talking ‘rights’ and started talking ‘love,’ the tide turned.” 2…”