Episodes
June 28, 2021
Ep 9: How the arts can connect and sustain us in the climate movement
Can music, film, literature and art inspire climate activism or change our perspectives on climate change? In this episode, we discuss non-academic examples of climate change communications. Arguably, pop culture can have as much, or perhaps even greater, impact than academic literature on getting us to think differently about climate change and the world that we live in. In preparing for this episode we each shared a short film or a piece of music that has had an impact on us and how we experi…
May 4, 2021
Ep. 8: Why is the messenger important in climate messaging?
In this episode, we take a deeper look at “the messenger” and why it can be important to understand different messengers in climate communications. We refer to research from David Holmes, Director of the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub and explore the issues of trust, effectiveness and things to be learned from messengers. Join us as we discuss a number of ways to become more mindful, emphatic and, overall, better communicators - and become what we like to call “agents of chang…
Feb. 19, 2021
Ep. 6 (part 2): Our Climate Stories
Why do some people care about climate change more than others? In this episode, Amélie interviews Tim and Ewan as they reflect on how their past has led them to care about climate change, and what keeps them going. We are reminded that everyone has their own unique story, regardless of their level of engagement with environmentalism. Both find talking about climate with loved ones challenging, but continue to seek commonalities and entry points for engaging and productive conversations. Recorde…
Jan. 31, 2021
Ep 7: Below the surface - language of maps and nature
In this special episode, we interview Soo Ryu, a PhD fellow at the Aarhus School of Architecture. We discuss non-verbal ways of communication, with a focus on the power and limitations of maps to reveal and conceal. We also consider our terrestrial biases and how our worldviews can be constrained by using words like ‘nature’ that reinforce our separation from the world around us. This episode will be showcased at the 2021 Sustainable Living Festival on 17 February, where you can join us in a li…
Jan. 30, 2021
Ep. 6 (part 1): Our climate stories
Why do some people care about climate change more than others? In this episode, Rosie, Amélie and Phani reflect on how their past has led them to care about climate change, and what keeps them going. We are reminded that everyone has their own unique story, regardless of their level of engagement with environmentalism. All three find talking about climate with loved ones challenging, but there are lessons for how positive interaction with friends and family can lead to meaningful impacts in the…
Dec. 9, 2020
Ep. 5: Feeling our experiences, the pros and cons of apocalyptic framing of climate change
In this episode, we examine the use of apocalyptic framing in climate change communications. Traditionally, the end has been nigh for religious and moralistic reasons with a call to repent (though it is safe to say this year has been uniquely challenging and thrust most of us into an existential whirlwind!). Apocalypse Forever? Post-political Populism and the Spectre of Climate Change by Erik Swyngedow challenges apocalyptic framing in climate change discourse, arguing that it more accurately s…
Dec. 7, 2020
Ep 4: Natural capital to ecosystem services, how economic metaphors may be manipulating our realities
In this episode, we poke a stick at economic metaphors that are commonly used to describe sustainability and the environment. In the West, under a dominant neoliberal-capitalist milieu, we take stock of how this influences the way we communicate about nature, and the material dangers of doing so. Economic metaphors are not benign, and the longer we ponder, the more power it seems is embedded in metaphor. Indeed, words like "natural capital" or "ecosystem services" have become common tongue. Thr…
Nov. 10, 2020
Ep 3: Addicted to conflict? Climate in journalism and the media
In this episode we look at the chapter “Journalism, Climate Communication and Media Alternatives” by Robert A Hackett and Shane Gunster from Carbon Capitalism and Communication. This book examines the role of communication in discussing the climate crisis. Specifically in this chapter, Hackett and Gunster critique the typical climate narratives explored by journalists and offer their perspectives on three approaches that are more effective with galvanising public support. They also discuss the …
Nov. 9, 2020
Ep 2: Different ways of knowing through storytelling
In this episode we refer to a chapter Different Ways of Knowing: Trees Are Our Families Too , by Gladys and Jill Milroy, in Heartsick for Country: Stories of Love, Spirit and Creation , edited by Morgan, Mia and Kwaymullina 2008. In this chapter, the authors write that Western knowledge tends to exclude and marginalise many other ways of knowing, while imposing a belief in its superiority over all other ways of ‘knowing’ when in reality it is only one particular way of knowing the world. The 'w…
Nov. 8, 2020
Ep 1: Climate language and meaning in the search for 'blue ice'
Have you ever found yourself lost for words? Maybe it's because there are no words — at least in the languages you speak. In this episode we look at research from the northern boreal forests in Ontario, Canada with the Cree, Ojibwe and Ojicree indigenous peoples. The study aimed to better understand the indigenous perspectives of framing climate change adaptation. Interestingly, these indigenous languages have no equivalent word for 'adaptation'. Sadly, the word itself had negative meanings for…
Nov. 5, 2020
Ep 0: Hello and Welcome
Welcome to Talking In This Climate , where we explore how to become more mindful and effective communicators of climate and environmental issues. In this episode, meet the creators of the podcast and our aims for the journey ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.