In This Climate Michael Mann: Hope, disinformation, Carl Sagan, and climate communication
8 snips
Sep 21, 2023 Climate scientist and communicator Michael Mann discusses hope, disinformation, and the influence of Carl Sagan in climate communication. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling, reclaiming the science, and avoiding doom and despair when addressing the climate crisis. Mann also highlights personal connections, mentors in climate communication, challenges of reaching skeptical audiences, and the creation of a new center for science, sustainability, and media at Penn.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Paleoclimate Undermines Doomism Claims
- Paleoclimate records warn against doomism and exaggeration about irreversible runaway warming.
- Michael Mann explains past warming events were natural CO2-driven shifts, not modern methane runaway scenarios pushed by some commentators.
Avoid Exaggeration When Communicating Climate Risks
- Communicate urgency without exaggeration to preserve public agency and avoid disengagement.
- Mann cites Steve Schneider: "The truth is bad enough" and urges framing that conveys both risk and that action still matters.
Use Three Rules For Effective Science Communication
- Tailor communication to your audience and be authentic in delivery.
- Mann relays Steve Schneider's rules: know thy audience, know thyself, and know thy stuff as a practical communicator's checklist.