COIN today releases a report on how the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) can communicate better with the public.
We based our study on interviews with 16 key experts from the media and leading NGOs. Our central argument is that IPCC outputs must be coupled with human stories and powerful narratives which can bring the science to life.
To engage the public, the IPCC needs to work with a range of partners who can weave stories with cultural credibility from the science: how will climate change affect the things people love?
In addition, by reorienting and restructuring the IPCC – so that it provides science ‘on demand’, tailored to the needs of different audiences and stakeholders – its relevance and influence could drastically increase.
We are not arguing that the IPCC has failed. It’s job is currently to present policy makers with a robust assessment of the latest climate science. But it is clear that presenting the world with information is not creating the political change we need. More facts and more information are unlikely to convince the public in the future.
We also recommend that the IPCC should invest in communication and begin using video and social media. The IPCC must create an engaging and accessible public face.
The recommendations proposed are those of COIN alone. They may not reflect the view of anyone interviewed or their respective institutions. For more information contact adam.corner@climateoutreach.org.uk