10 Communication Tips to Change the Climate Story
...and be a climate leader during your day job

An AAEE NSW resource for anyone concerned about the climate crisis. 
“This guide is a priceless tool for all those people taking action or wanting to contribute to a future where our actions
are nurturing the social and physical landscapes of life.”
Costa Georgiadis, Landscape Architect, television celebrity and patron of AAEE NSW.
Would you like to have positive conversations about the climate crisis that encourage and inspire others to be part of the solutions?
Do you want to feel more positive about our future in the face of climate uncertainty?
Would you like to feel more confident talking about the climate crisis with your colleagues, friends or family?
Do you care about the climate crisis and our future and want to do more?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then this short guide is for you.
“Since using this guide I’ve been surprised by the receptive responses from colleagues & friends and how much they want to engage further with me on climate change.”
Local government sustainability officer
“The ‘3 parts call to action’ has really helped me to shift the mood and lift the tone of my presentations to students.”
Environmental Educator
“I really like the 10 tips because it reinforces in me to just be brave and have a go.”
State government planner

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A word from the author

Communicating about the climate crisis can be hard, but we need to be able to talk about a problem if we want to solve it.

A year ago with the NSW bushfires burning near my home, I felt despondent about the climate crisis and only talked about it to a few close friends and family.

Since then I have immersed myself in the global climate movement and become a Climate Reality Leader. I’ve realised that there is so much to be optimistic and even excited about and I can now have positive conversations about the climate crisis with my friends and strangers!

As a sustainability education and engagement professional, I felt that what I had learnt could help others. So I put together these 10 tips and tested them out with a dozen of my colleagues from local and state government, tertiary, secondary and primary education, business and not-for-profit.

The positive responses I received encouraged me to gift this resource to my professional association- the Australian Association for Environmental Education- NSW Chapter (AAEE NSW), so that it could reach a wide audience.

 

I’ve realised that we all have an opportunity to help change the climate story, from one of powerlessness & despair, to one of empowerment & hope.

Because even though it can feel like nothing is changing in Australia because of our federal politics, there is so much to be hopeful about.

Australian businesses, professional associations, community groups and local communities are stepping up as inspiring climate leaders and creating change.

Around the world climate leadership is creating political, business and financial changes that are already influencing Australia and will soon help our federal government to see the vast potential of decarbonising our economy.

But we need this change to occur faster if we are to avoid irreversible climate and biodiversity tipping points, so we need every person who cares about the climate crisis to be empowered to play their part.

If this guide helps you please share it with your colleagues, family and friends.  

And please send me your feedback too, as I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas- my email is erika@ecoengage.com.au   

Erika Van Schellebeck