Strategic Framing & Storytelling
We work directly with advocates and government leaders to develop approaches that increase issue relevancy and urgency and increase their capacity to be effective climate storytellers.
We’re changing the conversation. Facts are critical yet people process them based on their values, worldviews and emotions. Most Americans care yet the climate conversation is expert-led, technical and removed from most people’s daily lives. Making the case for an energy transition and resilience via effective values-based framing and narratives is critical so issues are presented in a non-polarizing way that meets people where they are at, opens up new thinking and sparks interest and confidence in talking with peers about climate change and engaging in climate planning and policy change.
Climate Access has a long, successful track record working with organizations, government agencies and networks to develop values-based frames and narratives that reach beyond the choir, break down polarization and motivate action. We work directly with advocates and government leaders to develop approaches that increase issue relevancy and urgency and increase their capacity to be effective climate storytellers. We are currently constructing and amplifying a global fair energy transition narrative in partnership with advocates from around the world.
For the most part, the story about climate change has been technical and political. Now what is needed is a love story to connect the issue to the people, places and things ordinary Americans care about.
PROJECTS:
Current
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – Communications Strategists
Climate Access has guided the communications strategy for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative since its founding. The Treaty is a growing global campaign elevating the threat of oil, gas and coal, compelling the wind-down of fossil fuels and accelerating the shift to clean energy. In addition to providing strategic guidance, writing and training services for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Climate Access conducts media analyses to help inform campaign narratives and is responsible for summarizing social media trends and impacts.
Framing approaches – Stand.earth
Climate Access is analyzing and assessing Stand.earth’s framing approaches and efforts through a review of their current communication strategies and content, as well as a series of interviews with staff. Climate Access is producing a report for the communications team with findings and guidance for effective framing approaches.
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Engagement assessment – Union of Concerned Scientists
Climate Access provided the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) with a comprehensive review of its current engagement approach and offering strategic guidance on how to focus future efforts to boost visibility and effectiveness. The engagement assessment report includes findings from Climate Access’s research, interviews and content review, as well as recommendations for the UCS communications department and leadership.
Shifting consumption patterns – Urban Sustainability Directors Network
Given the pervasiveness of consumption in the culture and economy, it is challenging to communicate with the public about the issue. On behalf of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), Climate Access developed the Smart Shift report to provide municipal leaders with guidance on how to frame the need to change consumption patterns and the benefits that can result including cutting carbon emissions and creating more connected communities through sharing, reuse, and repair.
Activation & Engagement
We work with nonprofits and government agencies to involve a diverse range of community members in creating and implementing climate action plans and programs at the state, regional and local levels.
We’re sparking climate activation: Most Americans care and many want to take action but are unclear on what the most meaningful steps are to take. Tapping into this growing concern to activate thousands in communities across the country is key to cutting climate pollution and increasing resilience to impacts. When people are invited to the table to co-explore risks and co-create solutions, climate plans better reflect the concerns and needs of community members and strengthen support for policy. Relationship building between decision makers and those most impacted by climate change, fossil fuels and an energy transition is another important component.
Climate Access works with nonprofits and government agencies to involve a diverse range of community members in creating and implementing climate action plans and programs at the state, regional and local levels. We develop communications and engagement models that reach thousands of people in communities across the United States, including those often left out of the decision making process who are most at risk from the impacts of climate change and an energy transition. Through these models which combine a range of in-person, media and digital strategies, we are increasing awareness of climate risks, involving new voices in decision making and motivating individuals to take steps to prepare for impacts and cut emissions.
The public must be partners to drive the transformational change needed in our energy, economic and cultural systems. Most people care and are ready to act if the pathway is clear and barriers are removed.
PROJECTS:
Current
Community Climate Leaders – peer-dialogue program
The Community Climate Leaders (CCL) program is reaching and mobilizing thousands of community members in cities across North America to be part of local decision making and to take action in their own lives. Climate Access works with city staff to provide community members – including those most impacted by climate change – with training, tools, and resources to activate their own social networks through peer-based dialogues.
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Louisville Metro Government – Prepare Louisville Climate Adaptation Plan
Climate Access and the Geos Institute worked with Louisville Metro staff to engage more than 2,000 community members in the process, including those in Louisville’s most marginalized neighborhoods. Input form the project informed the creation of the Prepare Louisville Climate Action Plan, which emphasized and prioritized equity through such efforts as the greening of neighborhoods to counteract urban heat islands.
Look Ahead – virtual reality
Our innovative Look Ahead project has reached thousands across Marin County, San Mateo County, City and County of San Francisco, City of Hermosa Beach and the City of Manhattan Beach, including youth and individuals outside of the environmental choir. The immersive 360° virtual reality tours generated support for strong action on sea-level rise. Marin Country, for example, developed a flood notice program based on community feedback.
Local government leadership development
Climate Access has trained hundreds of local sustainability leaders in climate communication and engagement best practices, including storytelling and equitable engagement in partnership with Urban Sustainability Directors Network, National League of Cities and C40 Cities.
State of Vermont – Climate Action Plan Public Engagement
Climate Access, in partnership with Rise Consulting, led the public engagement process for the State of Vermont’s Climate Action Plan. The team engaged more than 1,600 Vermonters in every corner of the state to gain input and insights around local climate concerns and feedback on the proposed Climate Action Plan priorities. The communication framework and public engagement plan were used by the Vermont Climate Council to prioritize solutions in Vermont’s final Climate Action Plan.
Capacity Building
We develop and share strategic framing and engagement guidance and provide training for practitioners to increase their ability to connect people to climate, energy, sustainability and equity issues through our Resource and Training Hub.
Many efforts are underway to communicate about climate change and activate the public. However, they are often not informed by the latest research or best practices in the field due to limited practitioner time and capacity. Increasing the capacity of leaders engaging the public on climate change from a range of sectors is essential if activation is to be scaled along the timeline required. Knowledge distillation, sharing and application via tips, tools, training and peer exchanges can increase practitioners’ capacity to meet audiences where they are at, frame conversations effectively and activate people to take emission reduction and resilience steps.
Climate Access serves the largest and most diverse network of climate influencers including more than 4,000 practitioners from a wide range sectors. We develop and share strategic framing and engagement guidance and provide training for practitioners to increase their ability to connect people to climate, energy, sustainability and equity issues. This includes addressing pervasive issues that hold back most climate communication campaigns as well as responding to real-time changing events to make the case for climate action, build support for policy change and motivate people to take action.
We can accelerate the adoption of communication and engagement best practices by bringing people together to learn from one another, share resources and collectively solve problems.
PROJECTS:
Current
Rapid response on emerging issues
Climate Access moves quickly to gather experts who can provide our network with up-to-date messaging and outreach guidance when challenging issues emerge, such as extreme weather events and the pandemic.
Member-only webinars and newsletter
Climate Access offers regular webinars that are exclusive to members. Our webinar series brings together experts from around the country in conversation about critical climate issues to provide members with insightful and practical guidance. Members also receive the Climate Access newsletter which features updates on upcoming events, climate communication and engagement tips, and tools.
