Communications Lessons
Communicating with neighbors, friends, and local officials about the benefits of —- and imperative for — climate action begins with listening and finding shared values. In doing so, climate advocates help to construct a vocal national network of individuals able to address objections to action and to lead citizens towards solutions.
CCL’s communication tools and tactics are designed to build relationships rather than gain short-term rhetorical victories, enabling volunteers to base dialogues upon shared values instead of partisan divides.
In addition to the lessons below, other trusted climate change communications sources include:
Communications Training Menu
The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt discusses the five moral values that underline the basis of our political choices.
Core Volunteer Training: Communicating Across The Aisle
Jim Tolbert, CCL Conservative Director and Stephanie Doyle, National Outreach and Partnership Coordinator, show how solutions-focused climate change communicators can convey their message more effectively to both conservative and progressive audiences.
How to Have Better Political Conversations
Dr. Robb Willer “researches how moral values — typically a source of division — can also be used to bring people together.”
ecoAmerica’s Let’s Talk: Communities & Climate Webinar
Join Meighen Speiser, ecoAmerica’s Chief Engagement Officer, and Paige Fery, Research Manager for “Let’s Talk Communities & Climate,” a webinar that equips local leaders with the tools to effectively engage their communities on climate change and solutions.
The Psychology of Climate Change Communication
Dr. Marx responds to volunteer’s submitted questions from her conversation on the January 2018 National Call.
Motivational Interviewing
Discover how to us motivational interviewing to more effectively connect with your members of Congress, local leaders, or even members of your own CCL group.
Effective Listening
Prepare for conversations and practice listening skills in a webinar geared to helping us understand the phases of the communication process and key skills of effective listening.
Living Room Conversations
Join Joan Blades, founder of Living Room Conversations, leads a CCU workshop focused on how to host Living Room Conversations, an approach that increases understanding, reveals common ground and allow us to discuss possible solutions.
Conservative Messaging Theory
Learn how to share your concern about climate risk with conservative friends, family, and folks in the community in a way that resonates.
Conservative Messaging Workshop
This workshop-style lesson focuses on practicing delivering an introductory pitch and talking points that resonate well with conservative audiences.
Progressive Messaging
Explore some of the theory behind the progressive worldview andtakeaways we can apply in our conversations with those on the left.
Effective Strategies for Debunking Myths
Learn effective techniques for debunking misconsceptions about climate change science.
Move Over Misconception
Seeking to understand a misconceptions about climate science or climate policy allows us to develop stratgies for breaking it down.
Climate Opinion Maps from Yale
Learn how to use the climate opinion modeling estimates from Yale and how we can leverage the data in our meetings with Congress, the media and others.