Last week, ClimaComms Lab, a space dedicated to climate conversations by SLYCAN Trust, hosted a discussion with journalists, researchers, and communication and design students on the current state of climate change reporting, aimed at exploring innovative ways of enhancing climate communication. 

The session featured insights from climate communication professionals. A key perspective shared was that effective climate communication required bridging the gap between technical jargon and public engagement, highlighting the need for accessible and engaging communication strategies. 

Structured around interactive sessions, the event delved into critical themes: The effectiveness of current climate change news structures, the impact of media coverage on public perception (e.g., the UN Mangrove Restoration Award), and the role of visual mediums in enhancing climate communication. 

Attendees highlighted that simplifying policy changes could make climate action more relatable to the public, emphasising the importance of translating complex information into actionable insights.  

Climate 2.0, hosted by SLYCAN Trust Youth, serves as a hub for fostering dialogue on climate communication. This event followed a series of initiatives aimed at bridging gaps in climate reporting and engaging diverse stakeholders in actionable discussions. 

The discussion yielded actionable insights, underscoring the need for reforming climate news to be more accessible and engaging, enhancing media coverage of policy changes to foster public involvement, and leveraging visual mediums for effective climate storytelling and education.

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The state of climate change news

The discussion opened with a critical question on the current state of climate change reporting, with negativity in climate change reporting emerging as a significant issue.

The participants also delved into how the structure and presentation of news impacted its digestibility, with the current format often failing to engage the public effectively. 

It was also noted that the technical jargon used in climate change discussions posed a barrier, alienating readers whose backgrounds influenced their understanding and perspective. Additionally, the language barrier restricts the reach of crucial information, making it accessible only to specific audiences. This calls for a transformation in how climate news is communicated, ensuring it is relatable and understandable to a broader audience.

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The UN Mangrove Restoration Award

The conversation then pivoted to Sri Lanka’s recent win of the UN Mangrove Restoration Award. Responding to a question on how the media covered this event, participants noted that the coverage was factual and had a notable impact on the general public. However, it was highlighted that follow-up activities seemed lacking. The role of sensationalism in media for commercial purposes was also debated, with the need for intellectual diversity stressed. Effective climate policy communication must resonate with the general public, underscoring the value of their actions in driving policy reforms.

The relevance of policy change coverage in media was also discussed, with some participants opining that while audiences might not naturally gravitate towards policy-heavy content, it was crucial to present these changes in an engaging, understandable manner. 

It was noted that simplifying complex policies and highlighting their direct impact on daily life could make such content more appealing and accessible, requiring a shift from dry, technical reporting to storytelling that connects policies to personal experiences and tangible outcomes. 

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Visual mediums: The future of climate communication

The conversation then shifted to the use of visual mediums to portray climate change communications. There was unanimous agreement on the power of visual media in climate communication, given that video reporting and illustrations captivate audiences far more effectively than text-heavy articles. 

This session highlighted a significant gap in cross-collaboration among youth organisations in Sri Lanka on climate communication. Early climate education, made simple and engaging, is crucial. Integrating climate action into daily routines can profoundly impact climate education and communication.

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Bridging the information gap

A significant concern raised was the gap in data verification in Sri Lanka, primarily due to resource constraints. Accurate and reliable data form the bedrock of effective climate communication and it is imperative to bridge this gap.

The evening at ClimaComms Labs was an interesting and interactive one, where the youth collaborated and discussed innovative thinking in advancing climate communication. As we move forward, embracing diverse and visually engaging methods will be key to making climate action a universally understood and embraced cause.

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ClimaComms is an initiative of SLYCAN Trust aimed at supporting and empowering communicators in enhancing evidence-driven and science-based communication on climate change. This initiative aims to better engage journalists, media professionals, and communicators from across the world to build climate awareness, raise climate literacy and contribute to scaling up evidence and science-driven climate action at all levels.

SLYCAN Trust Youth is a global initiative of SLYCAN Trust aiming to connect and empower youth to better engage in policy and action at all levels. Its work focuses on climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, animal welfare, social justice, entrepreneurship, and transformative resilience-building.