Are You Talking Climate Yet?

Join us for the release of Report II from the Alberta Narratives Project: Communicating Climate Change & Energy with Different Audiences in Alberta on Monday, February 11 from 1 to 4:30 pm at Festival Hall, 1215 10 Ave SE in Calgary. 

Building on the success of last year’s Talking Climate 2.0 event and the Alberta Narratives Project research, Alberta Ecotrust is pleased to present the second report in our narratives research with the Pembina Institute and Climate Outreach.

This report explores different audiences within Alberta and provides a deeper sub-narrative analysis of people’s core motivations, and the specific language and values that can become the basis of effective communications. Our goal is to get more Albertans comfortable talking and asking thoughtful questions about climate change.

The key to effective communication is that people can “see themselves” in it. They should feel validated and respected. To achieve this, communicators need to recognize, respect and reflect people’s values, hopes and concerns. This narratives research aims to uncover these elements and improve message uptake.

In this interactive, multi-stakeholder workshop we will explore the sub-narratives research based on eight key audiences in the province: Oils sands workers, conservatives, environmentalists, rural, business, new Canadians, youth, and faith groups. We will spend time testing and using key messages with each other to remove barriers and increase people’s comfort in engaging in thoughtful conversations about climate change, within and outside of, your organizations, families and networks. We will also explore how to utilize social media as a tool for communications and engagement.

In this workshop you will:

• Gain a better understanding of how to talk about climate and energy in Alberta based on the insights of Report II of the Alberta Narratives Project
• Dive into eight key audiences in Alberta talking about climate change
• Get familiar with other climate change communications opportunities and initiatives
• Fast-pitch your ideas and messages to peers and get instant feedback
• Learn how to develop social media and peer-to-peer approaches

Agenda
1:00 pm    
Registration

1:15 pm    
Welcome

1:30 pm    
Presentation and Table Talks: Communicating Climate Change & Energy with Different Audiences in Alberta

2:45 pm    
Break with Light Refreshments

3:00 pm    
Concurrent Learning Sessions:

• Learning Session 1: Tips and Tricks for Engaging Audiences On Social Media
• Learning Session 2: Practice Makes Perfect: Holding Conversations on Climate

4:00 pm    
Next Steps

4:20 pm    
Closing Remarks

Intended Audience
This event has been designed for communicators, engagement and outreach practitioners with different levels of experience from a wide-range of sectors including government, energy, education, business, environment and civil society. Organizational teams are encouraged to register, though spots are limited to 60.

Registration is $20 per person. 

Workshop Hosts
Are you Talking Climate Yet? is hosted by Alberta Ecotrust in collaboration with the Pembina Institute. This workshop is supported in part through a Community Environmental Action Grant from Alberta Environment and Parks.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach the Alberta Ecotrust team at 403 209 2245 or info@albertaecotrust.com.