Communicating Earth

Climate Acceptance Studios

Communicating Earth is a video podcast for climate and nature communicators, by climate and nature communicators.

  1. 6D AGO

    John Marshall, Founder and CEO, Potential Energy Coalition

    Can you “sell” climate action like a product? In this episode, John Marshall, the founder of Potential Energy Coalition, makes the case that the barrier to climate progress isn’t awareness, it’s relevance. Drawing on the deep data of digital advertising and longitudinal studies tracking millions of people, he explores why climate messaging underperforms - and what actually moves people to act. John’s work starts with the audience’s life: their bills, their kids, their taxes. His research shows that “soft support” for climate action is already high - but fragile. He argues that the difference between apathy and urgency often comes down to one thing: whether communicators connect climate to everyday consequences. This conversation is packed with practical tactics and a challenge: A surprisingly successful Super Bowl ad A powerful rule—“say the consequence within five words of climate change”If the cost of building public support is falling fast, what’s stopping us from scaling it? It’s about treating climate communication as a system you can measure, test and win. Recommended book: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert Follow John Marshall at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-marshall-1a61b516/ Additional notes:  Potential Energy Coalition - https://www.potentialenergycoalition.org/ Email Potential Energy Coalition your questions at - info@potentialenergycoalition.org Five Simple Shifts for Climate Communication in 2026 - https://potentialenergycoalition.org/2026-climate-change-communicators-guide-five-key-shifts/ Potential Energy Coalition’s That’s Interesting Newsletter - https://potentialenergycoalition.org/newsletter/ By The Time Super Bowl Ad -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rnfywUFFSU Swayable - https://www.swayable.com/ Yale Program on Climate Change Communication - https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/ We Mean Business Coalition  - https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/ Outrage + Optimism Podcast - https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/ Released: 22 April 2026 Run time: 48m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube

    48 min
  2. APR 15

    Gemma Parkes, Head of Communications, Nature Positive Initiative

    What does it take to make the world care about a fish? In this episode of Communicating Earth, Nathaniel speaks with Gemma Parkes—Head of Communications at the Nature Positive Initiative—about storytelling as a tool for system change. From global coalitions to Paris Metro ads, Gemma has spent her career translating complex environmental crises into narratives that move power: policymakers, businesses, and the public. At the heart of the conversation is a deceptively simple idea: communications isn’t broadcasting—it’s participation. Gemma unpacks how campaigns like the Atlantic bluefin tuna recovery succeeded not through a single message, but through a coordinated “ecosystem” of stories—science, culture, industry, and identity—all working together. She also explores the limits of awareness: why people can care deeply but still fail to act, how misinformation reshapes the playing field, and why the future of climate communication is collaborative, interactive, and strategically targeted. This is a conversation about moving beyond noise—toward narratives that actually shift decisions, behaviours, and outcomes. Recommended book: The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall Follow Gemma Parkes at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmaparkes/  Additional notes:  Nature Positive: https://www.naturepositive.org/  Nature Positive book: https://www.naturepositive.org/book/ Nature Positive film: https://www.naturepositive.org/film/   Kyoto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_(play)  Nathaniel’s reference to the book on history of fishing - W. Jeffrey Bolster, Mortal Sea: Fishing the Atlantic in the Age of Sail Released: 15 April 2026 Run time: 49m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube

    49 min
  3. APR 8

    Rebecca Wynn, Communications Lead, Our Kids' Climate

    What if the most powerful climate message isn’t data but love? In this episode, Tom speaks with Rebecca Wynn, Head of Communications at Our Kids' Climate, about building a global movement rooted not in expertise, but in care. Rebecca traces her journey from civil servant to “mother activist,” and explains how a visceral realisation—imagining her son’s life in 2030 and 2050—reshaped her entire approach to communication. At the heart of her work is the simple idea that parents are trusted, relatable messengers, and love is a mobilising force. Through the “Our Kids’ Air” campaign, she shares how hundreds of parent groups across 50+ countries coordinated action—from WHO conference interventions to WhatsApp-organised protests—without sacrificing authenticity. This conversation explores a different model of climate communication: one that blends top-down influence with bottom-up storytelling, trades rigid message discipline for creative ownership, and replaces abstract futures with tangible, human stakes. Recommended book: The poems of Mary Oliver, especially Wild Geese, The Summer Day, When I Am Among the Trees Follow Rebecca Wynn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-wynn-2b4b6029/ Additional notes:  “We are the Majority” video - https://wearethemajority.earth/ Our Kids’ Climate - https://ourkidsclimate.org/ Clean Air Fund case study on parent-led action - https://www.cleanairfund.org/case-study/parental-love-drives-clean-air-action/ “Every Breath Tells a Story” (Our Kids Air film) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUK2JBvPdVE Warrior Moms (India) - https://warriormoms.in/ Mothers Rise Up (UK) - https://www.mothersriseup.org/ Mother’s Rise Up with giant inhaler prop - https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2025/03/16/mothers-rise-up-protest/ Parents for Climate (Australia) - https://www.parentsforclimate.org/ For Our Kids (Canada) - https://www.forourkids.ca/ Parents for Future (UK) - https://parentsforfuture.org.uk/ Mums for Lungs (UK) - https://www.mumsforlungs.org/ Research on effects of ULEZ on children’s lung health after - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12556170/ Potential Energy Coalition - https://potentialenergycoalition.org/ Released: 8/4/26 Run time: 50m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube

    50 min
  4. APR 1

    Dina Cappiello, Climate, energy and sustainability communications

    Why hasn’t all the science, data, and urgency translated into faster climate action? Tom Clark sits down with Dina Cappiello, former Chief Communications Officer at RMI and explores why communication itself is what’s blocking faster climate action.  Drawing on a career spanning journalism, PR, and the NGO world, Dina argues that facts alone don’t move people - stories do. In this episode learn about: Translating dense research into human language and making “boring” topics like energy efficiency compellingWhat actually drives engagement and actionThe tension between accuracy and accessibilityWhy climate communicators must focus on relatability, emotion, and attention.Listen to a powerful case study: how a story about the Empire State Building helped make energy efficiency inspiring. If you’re trying to change minds - or the world - this conversation is essential listening. Recommended film: Microcosmos (1996) Follow Dina Cappiello at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-cappiello-1937268/ Additional notes:  Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) - https://rmi.org/ Canary Media - https://www.canarymedia.com/ Climate Now - https://www.climatenow.com/ The Daily https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily  Microcosmos - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosmos_(film)  Climate Colored Goggles - https://substack.com/@climatecoloredgoggles Katherine Hayhoe - https://www.katharinehayhoe.com/  Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC) - https://gsccnetwork.org/  Released: 31/3/26 Run time: 55m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube

    55 min
  5. MAR 24

    Kris De Meyer, Director, UCL Climate Action Unit

    What if action, not awareness, is the key to communicating about  climate change? In this episode, Tom speaks with neuroscientist and climate communication expert Kris de Meyer about the psychology of agency, belief, and action. Drawing on years of research - and a pivotal moment watching a misleading climate documentary - Kris explains why information alone doesn’t change minds, and why persuasion is often the wrong goal entirely. Hear Kris argue for: A radical shift: from explaining the problem to enabling actionFrom individual choices to collective agencyFrom fear-driven narratives to stories that show what’s already being doneHow people can take part.Learn more about how beliefs are shaped by action, why listening beats arguing, and how communicators - from scientists to campaigners - can unlock “penny drop” moments that lead to real change. If you’re trying to communicate climate more effectively, this episode offers a powerful reframing: don’t just tell people what’s wrong - help them discover what they can do. Recommended books: Fairhaven: A Novel of Climate Optimism by Steve Willis & Jan Lee https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/209228205-fairhaven / The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Follow Kris De Meyer at https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisdm/ Additional notes:  Climate Action Unit (UCL) - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-action-unit/ Transforming the Stories We Tell About Climate Change: From Issue to Action: A 2020 paper written by Kris -  https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abcd5a TED Talk: How to Stop Feeling Stuck on Climate Change - https://www.ted.com/talks/kris_de_meyer_how_to_stop_feeling_stuck_on_climate_change Right Between Your Ears - https://filmfreeway.com/454046 An Inconvenient Truth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inconvenient_Truth Star Trek: The Next Generation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation Released: 24/3/26 Run time: 45m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

    45 min
  6. MAR 18

    James Dyke, Associate Professor in Earth System Dynamics, University of Exeter

    What happens when climate scientists refuse to stay in their lane? Tom Clark speaks with Dr. James Dyke, Earth systems scientist at the University of Exeter. James is also the co-author of the influential article in 2021: Climate scientists: concept of net zero is a dangerous trap, where he and fellow academics argued: that net zero, “... is a great idea, in principle. Unfortunately, in practice it helps perpetuate a belief in technological salvation and diminishes the sense of urgency surrounding the need to curb emissions now.”   In this conversation hear James discuss: Why climate science doesn’t suffer from an information deficit — it suffers from an action deficitHow many of today’s climate narratives risk delaying the rapid decarbonisation we urgently needThe tension between academia and activism, and why scientists must do more than simply publish researchHow climate communicators can work with academics and why the most powerful form of communication may still be face-to-face conversations with people.In this powerful discussion hear why James believes that we may have failed to avoid dangerous climate change - but that doesn’t mean we’re doomed. Recommended book: Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman Follow James Dyke at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgdyke/  Additional notes:  Climate scientists: concept of net zero is a dangerous trap - https://theconversation.com/climate-scientists-concept-of-net-zero-is-a-dangerous-trap-157368  Gaia hypothesis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis  Planet Critical - https://www.planetcritical.com/about/  Lawyers Are Responsible - https://www.lar.earth/  Strategic Climate Risks Initiative - https://www.scri.org.uk/  Global Tipping Points - https://global-tipping-points.org/ Released: 18/03/26 Run time: 51m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

    51 min
  7. MAR 11

    Emilie McGlone, Executive Director, Peace Boat US

    What does it mean to turn a ship into a communications platform for the planet? In this episode, Nathaniel Walters speaks with Emilie McGlone, Director of Peace Boat US, about using an international vessel as a floating hub for climate action, ocean advocacy, and peacebuilding. Hear how Peace Boat mobilised youth leaders, artists, universities, government ministers and media to amplify the UN High Seas (BBNJ) Treaty and the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.  Emilie talks about: Strategy, building local networks, working in local languages, aligning with UN frameworks, and creating collaborative spacesBalancing press outreach with grassroots participationMoving climate stories beyond “doom and gloom” toward visible, collective action.From the Nobel Peace Prize exhibition onboard to youth-led ocean advocacy, this episode explores how testimony, partnership and place-based storytelling can turn global treaties into a story of action that people get inspired from. Recommended Series: Our Oceans https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81139969  Follow Emilie McGlone at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-mcglone/  Additional notes:  Peaceboat / Ecoship: https://peaceboat.org/english/ / https://ecoship-pb.com/  Dr Sylvia Earle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Earle  Zandile Ndhlovu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zandile_Ndhlovu  Our Oceans / Netflix: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Oceans  Democracy Now: https://www.democracynow.org/  UNFCCC: https://unfccc.int/  COP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Climate_Change_Conference   Released: 11/3/26 Run time: 40 minutes Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube

    40 min
  8. MAR 4

    Harry Waters, Founder, Renewable English

    What can climate and nature communicators learn from climate education in schools? Tom speaks to Harry Waters, founder of Renewable English, about helping teachers and students to make their classrooms into engines of climate action and hope.  Harry has helped mobilise 3,000 students across Europe to move beyond the “three Rs” and into real-world agency. In this episode he explains his approach: Don’t bolt sustainability onto the curriculum, embed itFashion, food, sport, business, language, climate connects to all of itIf students take action first, belief follows.And we learn what might help us get better at climate communication: Why teachers are the ultimate communicatorsHow to simplify complex ideas without dumbing them downEmbedding ideas of action across all subject areas.From cooking meals in a car during 47°C heatwaves to Zoom calls empowering pre-teens in English, this episode is about one thing: moving from awareness to agency. Recommended Film: Don’t Look Up Follow Harry Waters at https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-waters/ Additional notes:  Bilnet Schools - https://bilnetokullari.com/en Jack Johnson, The Three Rs Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6IbRSRe8MQ  Kids Against Plastic - https://kidsagainstplastic.co.uk/  Don’t Look Up - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Look_Up  National Geographic Learning - https://www.eltngl.com/  Kris De Meyer, Transforming the stories we tell about climate change: From 'issue' to 'action' - https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/transforming-the-stories-we-tell-about-climate-change-from-issue-/ Released: 04/03/26 Run time: 45m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube

    45 min

About

Communicating Earth is a video podcast for climate and nature communicators, by climate and nature communicators.

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