How to Get More People to Care About Climate Change

The clock is ticking on climate change. With recent reports from the UN stating that we only have 12 years left to mitigate the ongoing environmental degradation, scientists warn that urgent changes must be made to cut risk of extreme heat, drought, floods, and poverty.

There is no longer anything normal about these catastrophes. In fact, experts and advocates are pushing to ditch the term “climate change” for “climate crisis” to increase the sense of urgency needed.

Despite these evident manifestations, there are still some people who continue to turn a blind eye. Whether you’re a multi-national brand, a small business, individual, or a teacher, you must use whatever platform you have to get people in on the cause.

No, it doesn’t involve storming their houses with picket signs and torches. Below, we provide some tips on the best approach to spread climate change awareness and promote action.

Campaign for it

If you’re a brand or an org, awareness campaigns can be one of the most effective tools. However, it shouldn’t just be made to go viral on the internet. Though online noise and traffic are possible metrics, it should still engage and drive audiences to act. For instance, our Fab City and Greenpeace collaboration last November saw the launch of MAKE SMTHNG Week — a week-long campaign that encouraged people to make use of what they already own via repairing, upcycling, and sometimes pimping “trash” around the house hold to minimize industrial wastes. The campaign also managed to host more than 400 creative workshops in 48 different countries. It was a good way to get everyone involved — whether they’re a first-time advocate or a veteran activist.

Take advantage of social media

Due to its reach, social media is one of the most commonly used platforms to spread awareness across different industries. Healthcare is one industry that utilizes this tool well, using it to spread awareness about certain diseases and debunking health myths. One excellent example is CDC’s Tips from Former Smokers campaign. Instead of featuring frightening images of blacked out lungs, CDC’s videos featured real former smokers, who described what it was like to live every day with illnesses due to smoking. They even held a live Facebook chat where more smokers shared their stories. It was unlike most anti-smoking ads that weren’t all that effective in getting people to curb their habits. Likewise, you need to go beyond pictures of landfills and polluted oceans for shock value. The message has to be just as meaningful and relatable.

Show, don’t tell

They say that pictures are worth a thousand words. And in today’s digital age where there’s an over-saturation of content, you need to know how to separate yourself from the noise. In complex industries such as fleet management, there are often a lot of numbers involved. This can be hard to comprehend for some, so Verizon Connect emphasizes the need to present data in visuals, such as infographics and pictures. That way, it’s not only strategic but also more inclusive for those who aren’t in the industry. Climate change is no different, especially now when information is often presented through complicated statistics. Pictures make information easier to be seen, remembered, and digested.

Take them to a volunteer event

Sometimes, people have to see or experience something firsthand to believe it. Of course, not everyone gets the opportunity to travel to Greenland and see the polar ice caps, but you need not go that far anymore. Chances are, your area may already be hosting events like beach clean-ups or tree-planting activities, which are a fun way to help and get educated. Plus, Vice notes that the key to successful activism lies in being with groups. That way, you also get to meet a diverse and inspiring set of people who will force you to upgrade your thinking. Indeed, there is strength in numbers.

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