Skill set two:

CLIMATE SCIENCE

← return to skill set one

 

Last month, the UN Panel on climate science (IPCC) released its new report presenting the latest research on climate change. “Boil down the IPCC report and here’s what you find: Climate change is real, it’s happening now, human beings are the cause of this transformation, and only action by human beings can save the world from its worst impacts.” said US secretary of state John Kerry. Scientific research does however not lead automatically to adequate political action: for this to happen this message will need to be communicated effectively so that the majority understands the importance to take rapid action to mitigate climate change. In this skill-set, we will help you play this role.

By participation actively to this skill-set, you will:

  • Become familiar with the latest findings of the UN panel on climate science, and what this means for your own region,
  • Learn the dos and don’ts of communicating climate science effectively,
  • Understand how certain actors manipulate climate science to nefarious ends,
  • Discover how you can use climate science in advocacy and mobilization.

Getting started: understanding the LATEST CLIMATE SCIENCE and what it means for you

To begin with, explore the following resources: they will provide you an overview of climate of the key messages contained in the most recent scientific research on climate change. A more comprehensive toolbox of resources will made available on October 12 to equip you with a better comprehension of how to communicate these findings effectively.

GRAPHS: The 5 Most Sobering Charts from the IPCC Climate Report→
Thanks to senior science writer Andrew Freedman, you can discover the key messages of the IPCC report in just a glance: Andrew extracted the 5 most important charts from the IPCC report.

INTERACTIVE: How hot will it get in your lifetime? →
And in the lifetime of a child born today? This simple but impressive interactive tool puts the projections of scientists in perspective.

RESOURCE: Region by Region breakdown of IPCC findings →
Global climate projections are important to understand how the planet will look like tomorrow, but what about the impacts in your country? This resource has broken the IPCC findings in regional fact sheet highlighting expected impacts for 18 regions of the world.

VIDEO: Understanding why our Earth system is warming →
Take a few minutes to listen to three top scientists provide a short update on the state of climate science (including responding some of the questions raised recently) and highlight how the scientific community is working to better understand climate change.

GUIDE: an introduction to the IPCC and some of its key messages →
If you are interested to dig further, better understand what the findings of the IPCC, check this platform: you will a summary of the key lessons from the latest climate science report, as well as further links to scientific research and to other useful resources analysing this data.

Published on 10 October:

‘How to cope with a denier’ by Cindy Baxter

 

Cindy Baxter has studied for many years the parallel universe in which climate deniers evolve. She has repeatedly exposed the links between these organizations involved in manufacturing doubt and the financial support provided by companies and individuals having a direct economic benefit at maintaining the current status-quo. This guest post will help you understand what is the motivation of climate deniers, what they are seeking, and how you can react when confronting to someone questioning the science in bad faith.

Upcoming on 14 October, 4pm GMT:

Key take-aways from the IPCC: a ‘Twitterchat’ with Prof. Michael Mann

 

To better understand the most important points contained in the new IPCC report, we have the unique opportunity to raise our questions directly with Prof. Michael Mann one of the climate scientists who has done the most to inform decision makers and the public about the climate crisis. He will help us understand what are the key take away from the latest climate science (click here for a confirmation of the time in your timezone).


Upcoming 17 October, 9pm GMT:

‘Twebinar’ on communicating climate science effectively - with Hunter Cutting

 

Climate science is overwhelming and too abstract for most of us, at least unless it is presented in an effective manner. After having learn about the scientific basis itself, this twebinar with Hunter Cutting will provide you some key insights on how to communicate this science in a way that mobilize and engage your interlocutor/audience. Click here to see the timing of the twebinar in your own timezone.

Upcoming 18 October:

‘Climate science communication: a Latin American perspective’ with Enrique Konstantinidis

 

As the Coordinator for Climate Action Network Latin America, Enrique has a unique experience when it comes to working across the region and gathered valuable insights on key challenges and opportunities to build on climate science to mobilize the public. Luckily for us, he will share those insights in a guest post.

Upcoming on 22 October:

‘Communicating climate science in India’ with Siddharth Patha

 

Siddharth has worked for several years with Greenpeace India on climate camapaigning and has joined now Climate Action Network International with whom he contributed to efforts to communicate the results of the work of the IPCC over the past weeks. Siddharth will share his perspective on what works best when it comes to using climate science communication in the Indian context.