Strategic Climate Change Communications by Cynthia Barnett, Nicole Dahmen, Nancy LaPlaca, David L. Morris II, Ishana Ratan, Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright, Kim Sheehan, John Cook, Jasper Colin Fessmann

Effective Approaches to Fighting Climate Denial

Edited by: Jasper Colin Fessmann (West Virginia University)

By: Cynthia Barnett (University of Florida, USA), Nicole Dahmen (University of Oregon, USA), Nancy LaPlaca (Regulatory Issues at the Energy & Policy Institute), David L. Morris II (University of South Carolina Aiken, USA), Ishana Ratan (University of California, Berkeley, USA), Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright (RegeNErate, USA), and Kim Sheehan (University of Oregon, USA)

For over 30 years the science on climate change has been clear: it is happening, we humans caused it, and it puts all our futures at risk. Global warming can still be reversed, or at least the worst prevented, if we act in time. However, despite valiant efforts by scientists, activists and science reporters, little meaningful change has occurred. This is largely the result of well-funded professional strategic communication efforts by vested interests. They have been highly successful in achieving their central goal: protecting the profitable status quo by creating gridlock to slow down meaningful action on climate change. Strategic Climate Science Communications: Effective Approaches to Fighting Climate Denial analyzes some of the communication strategies employed by deniers and the psychological mechanisms behind how they work. Several experts offer specific counter-strategies to change the conversation and foster meaningful societal change on global warming. The book helps environmental journalists to build up resistance against being manipulated by highly effective public relations techniques often successfully used against them. It can also help scientists and activists to become more effective communicators. An effective strategy is best countered by even better strategy.