ACADEMIC ACTIVITY DATA

JUSTIFICATION

The Climate Change Communication Observatory is dedicated to applied research for him development of tools that allow improving communication of the Communication on climate change. It is It constitutes a meeting space between communication professionals Climate change (CC), communication researchers and the experts in different areas of knowledge or activity linked to this climate change and ecological transition. The interaction between researchers and professionals who apply un expert and inclusive judgment reinforces the necessary bond and commitment for him exchange of knowledge upon the climate crisis, the eco-social context and communication of this phenomenon. The ultimate end is guarantee quality communication that empowers to the citizens Faced with the great changes that they will have to face to combat global warming and adapt to the new living conditions that will bring us an increase set at least by the IPCC at + 1.5ºC.

In the year 2018, from the Results of the investigation on climate change communication1 prepared by a team of researchers dthe group Dialectical Mediation of Social Communication (MDCS), the ECODES Foundation organized a meeting between these researchers and prominent environmental communication professionals with the aim of developing a catalog of measures or recommendations to report on climate change. This is how he was born "Decalogue of recommendations to report on climate change in the media"2 which was presented within the framework of the Change the Change Conference held in San Sebastián in 2018 and signed by more than eighty media outlets at the end of 2019.

This is the same team of researchers, junto a ECODES, carried out the design of this Observatory in the year 2019, whose first report collects the results of the research developed for the pilot test and the instructions for the implementation of the Observatory. The experts and professionals who participated in the different consultations carried out during the research phase appreciated an iIncrease in coverage and quality of information about the CC disclosed by the media in the year 2019. They perceived an increase in informative rigor and a greater plurality of voices and sources, the specialization of certain media, the creation of new content and the increase of scientific voices in the information. They agreed to point out that all these changes were related to the recommendations of the different points of the "Decalogue of recommendations to report on climate change in the media".

In the year 2020 The Observatory issues its second Report which is presented in January 2021. The report concludes that la improving communication of climate change in the actual stage climate and health crisis should Serve to get back on track towards a new normality that places the center of its policies care and protection of the climate, the biodiversity conservation and of the ecosystems of the planet and the effective management of natural resources in a climate crisis scenario.

The main Observatory lines of work son:

  1. The communication analysis of the CC on the speeches of the various media and media in Spain, including those of the press, radio and television. Communication on social networks is also analyzed
  2. The iidentification of the needs of adaptation and change that demands the improvement of the communication of the CC to favor the Ecological Transition. For this, communication professionals are consulted periodically and systematically. experts in the various sectors involved in the communication and management of the climate crisis.
  3. Event organization for the transfer of knowledge and the design of tools for the continuous improvement of CC communication.

Consultation with professionals and experts carried out in 2020 allowed to analyze your perception on the communication of climate change in the year 2020 and collect sus proposed modifications regarding the "Decalogue of recommendations to report on climate change in the media".

OBJECTIVES

We can appreciate the imprint of the pandemic in the new elements of the media discourse on climate change that professionals and experts consider necessary to improve communication of the causes and impacts. However, on the way to the solution, the need to change attitudes and behavior habits, both in diet and in the use of transport, in consumption or in Ecosocial initiatives. This leads to the need to debate and specify the key aspects of communication in changing habits or behaviors and what other elements are essential for this social transformation to take place.

The objective principal of this proposal is seek collaboration between the COMUNESCO Chair and the Climate Change Communication OBSERVATORY to develop a specific activity in accordance with line three of work referred to in the previous section. Specifically, it is hold an academic event in a single day that serves for updating and improving the “Decalogue of recommendations for to communicate climate change in the media" according to the results of the research carried out in 2020 and that are detailed in the second Report of the Observatory.

PROGRAM

Exercise Space Hour
Welcome to participants, presentation of the event and explanation of the work dynamics of the day Plenary hall 09:00h
Mrdebate on the points of the Decalogue that must be modified and the creation of new sections Separate rooms (3) for the debate of the points of the Decalogue 09:30h
Conclusions regarding the modifications and creation of new sections Plenary hall 10:30h

Coffee Break

 11:45h
Mrebate on the points ofl Decalogue that should be priorizados , in the current context Separate rooms (3) for the debate of the points of the Decalogue 12:15h
Conclusions regarding the modifications and creation of new sections Plenary hall 13:15h
Presentation of the conclusions and debate with invited participants online Plenary hall 14:00h
Creation of the document for the final period of allegations and closing Plenary hall 14:45h

End of session

 15:00h
  • Celebration: Madrid-Quintana Headquarters
  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Credits: This activity has not been conceived as a training activity. It is an academic activity for the transfer of knowledge between communication professionals and researchers in this area of ​​knowledge.. The objective is the improvement and innovation in the communication of climate change and not training.

PARTICIPANTS

A selection of 36 experts to be distributed in three working groups during the day. Each one of these groups will consist of communication professionals Climate change (CC), especially environmental journalists from different media and supports and experts in different areas of knowledge or activity linked to this climate change and ecological transition: scientists specialized in climate science, partnershipitgos, psychologists, political scientists, entrepreneurs and climate activists and representatives of the main institutions. The communication researchers of the Observatory they will moderate the debates and supervise the development of the day.

EXPECTED RESULTS

  1. Results of debate on lthe points of the Decalogue of recommendations for communicating climate change in the media that must be modified or included. Professionals and experts consulted , in 2020 evaluated the suitability and relevance of the ten points of the Decalogue in the current context. Highlightsron the point 2 of the Decalogue as the most relevant of the Decalogue and lastly communicate the connection between climate change and extreme meteorological phenomena. No professional or expert who has responded to the questionnaire proposes the elimination of any point from the Decalogue. In most cases, consider them pertinent and propose the changes or modifications detailed below:

    - Point modification 2. There is agreement on the importance of communicating the causes, but taking into consideration in which cases it is necessary to have more influence on them than on the impacts, always prioritizing the communication of solutions to offer expectations about the solution to the problem.

    - It is proposed to modify the point 10 in your writing to change the expression "robust" newsrooms to "stable" newsrooms.

    In addition to the above modifications, next, the proposals are listed in order to debate to incorporate in the Decalogue:

    1. Communicate the connections between health and climate change
    2. Disprove false truisms in the media, taboos and fake news
    3. Communicate sustainability as a framework for the agreement between social agents
    4. Influence the urgency of the measures
    5. Communicate the connection between food and greenhouse gas production
    6. Communicate the accessibility of measures / tools that allow mitigation and adaptation
    7. Realize the complexity of climate change

    Some of these proposals are already included more or less explicitly in the existing sections of the Decalogue., although others are directly related to the experience of the pandemic that is being lived. The use of the term "glocality" is also demanded as an expression of the socioeconomic scales of the problem and the necessary communication of sustainability and the measures to promote it., both to encourage it in the different productive sectors and to penalize for its breach.

  2. Results of the debate about the points ofl Decalogue that should be a priorityOs and communication of climate change in the current context.The different groups of professionals and experts consulted , in 2020 in the context of the health and climate crisis coincideieron in the need to prioritize certain aspects or perspectives of communication that coincide or are similar to the points of the Decalogue. These aspects should be debated to obtain a valid order of priority in the current Ecosocial context depending on the nature of the support., the target audience and the specific communication project.

    Ehe point most mentioned as a priority is the connection of climate change with nearby realities in space and time. In second place, the dissemination of scientific research is placed and in third place the importance of influencing not only the impacts of climate change but also the causes and solutions.

    Journalists support first of all the defense of critical and independent journalism and the dissemination of scientific research. In second place, they bet on robust and specialized newsrooms, the popularization of specific terminology on climate change and make a present and close story about this phenomenon.

    For environmental educators, the priority is to connect climate change with nearby realities in space and time.

    In second place, disseminate scientific research on climate change and thirdly, priorities are equalized when it comes to influencing causes and solutions, promote an approach to the problem from the point of view of climate justice and disseminate initiatives undertaken or led by citizens.

    Scientists clearly prioritize the connection of climate change with nearby realities in space and time. In second place, they equally emphasize the defense of independent journalism, communicate causes and solutions, use specific terminology and disseminate research.