Collaborating to Communicate for Climate Action

Abstract for Preformed Panel Presentation from the 2022 International SBCC Summit in Morocco:

"Society has more data about climate change than ever before, but using it to shift how society understands, deliberates, and acts, requires radically advancing communication. This demands novel collaborations that connect multiple perspectives, complement expertise, align strategic vision and foster creativity.This 'whole of society' approach to risk communication requires people who not only understand climate change (from a technical perspective or otherwise), but can also connect, communicate and collaborate with others. Skills to span social and professional boundaries are increasingly important, especially amidst heightened attention on the systemic nature of risk and climate change, involving more diverse actors across scientific disciplines, government and society.In many sectors, however, practitioners are not rewarded for attempts to foster diverse, cross-disciplinary collaborations. It can be viewed as a waste of time, a folly, a career-track derailment, an act of rebellion or a sign of weakness. It can consume resources an organisation does not have. When practitioners venture into diverse collaborations they may face common challenges such as power imbalances, conflicting interests and incentives, differing agendas, ways of working (protocols, reporting lines and speed), use of language and jargon, and low levels of trust. Collaborating to communicate about climate change is no different."