Conversation in a Difficult Climate (interactive webinar) 18 October

Overview

This online interactive webinar will focus on the rise of the nationalist right in the West and how those identifying with its politics talk and feel about the climate crisis. Populists like Reform UK want to make climate change a divisive ‘wedge issue’, as they did with BREXIT.

How do we hold conversations in this climate of polarisation? How do we engage with ordinary citizens who don’t appear to think like we do without ‘othering’ them and pushing them further away?

The webinar will be hosted by Paul Hoggett and Rachel Cakebread (editors of CPA’s Explorations in Climate Psychology journal) with speakers exploring the theme. There will be plenary Q&As for attendees to ask questions and a break-out with others to discuss the topic more broadly.

Speakers

The speakers and their short talks are:

Toby Chown: Heavy Weather: Exploring Reactionary States of Mind

Toby is a dramatherapist, clinical supervisor and writer. He is a member of the team that publishes CPA’s Explorations in Climate Psychology journal.

Susanne Moser: Understanding and navigating the shadows of our time: A personal reflection on what’s happening in the US

Susanne’s work in the US over the past 30 years has focused on adaptation to climate change, climate change communication, transdisciplinary engagement at the science-policy interface, and psycho-social resilience.

Chris Shaw: What We (Don’t) Talk About When We Talk About Climate Change: How Class, Silence, and Experience Speak Louder Than Words

Chris works as a consultant specialising in communicating with groups left out of the mainstream climate story and is a Research Associate with the Working Class Climate Alliance.

George Marshall: Melting the poles: finding narratives that overcome political polarisation on climate change.

George is the founder of Climate Outreach and the author of Don't Even Think About It: Why our Brains are Wired to Ignore Climate Change

Further information

Who is this webinar for?

Those interested in understanding our current political and social climate better (in relation to our psychically changing climate). We are going to explore challenges faced in communicating with others and inter-relation with our own biases and ability to polarise. The focus is on the psychology of climate communication, but the webinar is intended to be accessible to all.

How will attendees participate?

There are two plenary question and answers (Q&As) scheduled to put your questions directly to the speakers. There will also be a break out with other attendees, where you can discuss the topics, thoughts and feelings arising for you.

How will the three hours be spent?

• Introductions and initial speakers
• Plenary Q&A

=Break=

• Break-out groups with other attendees
• Final speaker
• Plenary Q&A
• Close

How much will it cost?

CPA Members £30; Non members £50; Concessions £10

This event is being held at a cost to raise funds for the Climate Psychology Alliance’s (CPA’s) journal. It is a voluntary member-organised publication that aims to be inclusive of the different ways people are experiencing and engaging with one another on the climate and ecological crisis.

The next issue is open for submission on the theme that Toby Chown will be discussing at the webinar. For more information and to submit an article please see details here.

The published issues of the journal (seven to date) can be accessed here.