Learning Objectives
- Critically explore the history of climate change communications, drawing connections to one’s personal content consumption
- Identify climate audiences and brainstorm appropriate climate content for each
- Differentiate between examples of successful and unsuccessful climate change communications in various contexts
- Apply rudimentary storytelling practices to create personalized, impactful content about climate change
Guest Speakers
We would like to thank speakers Graeme Wynn, Tess Harold, Patricia Charest-Mugwaneza, Grace Nosek, and Mandy Catron for their fantastic contributions. We appreciate your commitment to climate storytelling and the wonderful insights you shared with us from your respective fields.
Module 1 – A Short History of Climate Narratives
“What’s been written before? By who, why, and with what effects?”
In the first part of this course, students examine environmental communications through time in the North American context. With a critical lens, the course questions harmful assumptions embedded in climate, nature, and ecological writing. It addresses the legacy of settler conservation, including romantic preservationism and scientific management. After covering the dawn of climate news, it follows environmental activism about acid rain, water pollution, and the ozone hole. The seminar covers the politicization and corporate distortion of climate narratives at the turn of the century. It prompts discussions about ecofeminism and indigenous power in the rise of the climate movement. Global media is also featured to analyze transnational and historical differences in climate communications around the world.
Module 2 – The General Public & Climate Today
“Who are we writing for? What works?”
In the second part of this course, students examine who receives climate change messaging today from a marketing perspective. The seminar offers various ways to approach climate audience segmentation in Canada based on recent market research. It briefly dissects greenwashing practices, sustainability buzzwords, and notions of corporate social responsibility. Students look into branding guidelines and content marketing strategies. The content also digs into common climate frames, the role of humour, and multimedia technology. Students are ultimately invited to consider the complexities of marketing ethics and critically analyze the pressures, demands, and impact of environmental marketing on various audiences.
Module 3 – Storytelling Strategies to Prompt Action
“How can we connect with readers? How can I share my climate reality?”
In the third module, the seminar turns to creative writing theory and craft strategies. It examines the role of structure, the elements of voice and style, and the use of literary devices. The content also offers practical suggestions for character-building and meaning-making across various genres. It invites students to consider the complexities of memory, truth, and universality when writing from their lived experiences. The seminar turns a critical eye to the role of setting in climate fiction and climate memoir writing — how can we capture our environments without othering ourselves from them? Students are ultimately challenged to mobilize the class learnings into their own fiction and non-fiction pieces.
To request the detailed syllabus, please contact Chloë at chloealiciafraser@gmail.com.