Getting Beyond the Climate Change Echo Chamber

News and information about climate change often get stuck in the “echo chamber,” only reaching an audience already interested and informed about the topic. Media has a profoundly powerful effect on shaping public opinion, which in turn can move sustainable policies and business practices forward. How can we communicate climate change better and more broadly?

Columbia’s Sustainability Media Lab will present a panel discussion Nov. 20 on the current state of climate communications. Climate communicators from a diverse range of organizations will share their insights on how to push this critical issue into the mainstream.

Topics of discussion will include targeting strategies for different audiences, recent examples of climate campaigns, innovative use of design/technology, trends in climate media coverage, and ways to define and measure success. The panel discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A. Join the conversation online at #smlClimate!

Brian Kahn, web editor at Climate Central, will moderate a panel including:

•  Nora Vogel, science content manager, Climate Nexus
• Clara Vondrich, account director for climate & energy, Fenton
• James Gerken, green editor, the Huffington Post
• Duncan Meisel, digital campaigns manager, 350.org
• Jessica Brunacini, project manager, PoLAR Partnership

This event takes place from 8-9 p.m. in Hamilton Hall on the Columbia University Morningside campus and is free and open to the public; RSVP is encouraged. For more information, email sustainabilitymedialab@gmail.com.

The Sustainability Media Lab is a student initiative at Columbia working to make sustainable development more accessible, relevant and compelling across all media. This event is cosponsored by Consilience and SEEJ.