Strategies for integrating research and media in climate work

An important study investigating the global evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action. While the study finds widespread support for climate action, the researchers: “document that the world is in a state of pluralistic ignorance, wherein individuals around the globe systematically underestimate the willingness of their fellow citizens to act. This perception gap, combined with individuals showing conditionally cooperative behaviour, poses challenges to further climate action. Therefore, raising awareness about the broad global support for climate action becomes critically important in promoting a unified response to climate change…. The prevailing pessimism regarding others’ support for climate action can deter individuals from engaging in climate action, thereby confirming the negative beliefs held by others. Therefore, our results suggest a potentially powerful intervention, that is, a concerted political and communicative effort to correct these misperceptions.” The ability for individuals to take action needs to be created by our leaders, but we also need to help more folks see the desire for climate action among their peers, to norm positive climate behaviour across all parts of society, and remove the taboo of talking about being supportive of ambitious climate action. Media and creatives have such a huge, yet as yet untapped, opportunity to help share these stories. But all of us can help. Talk about climate action. With your family, friends, peers, work teams, sports teams….In your communities, colleges, corporates…. Join climate groups and networks. Create ones where they don’t exist. Share your support, there’s likely others needing to hear it. https://lnkd.in/ewYNNQ2R

Microbiology Leaders Launch Global Climate Change Strategy Published across 6 leading scientific journals, the strategy charts a path to integrate microbial science into global climate solutions. In a bold step toward climate action, leading microbiology societies and organizations have unveiled their first joint global strategy to harness the power of microbial science in addressing the climate crisis. This landmark strategy has been published across 6 scientific journals, including FEMS Microbiology Ecology, mBio, Microbiology Australia, Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, Sustainable Microbiology and The ISME Journal.  On May 23, 2025, leaders from microbiology organizations from around the world gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Global Strategy Meeting on Microbes and Climate Change. The goal was to unite behind a single, strategic vision for integrating microbial science into climate policy, innovation and public discourse. While microbes play essential roles in carbon cycling, soil health, ocean systems and more, their impact has long been overlooked in climate models and solutions. This inaugural gathering marked the launch of a global alliance of microbiology organizations dedicated to changing that narrative.  The meeting identified 4 major principles to guide the path forward: 1. Speak With One Global Voice: Form a formal coalition of microbiology societies and partner organizations to strengthen credibility, expand political influence, attract new partners and amplify the microbiology community’s voice. 2. Embed Microbial Science in Climate Policy: Engage policymakers, funders, entrepreneurs and advocacy groups to ensure microbial science is reflected in climate strategies and investment decisions. 3. Tell the Story and Share the Science: Use storytelling, advocacy and media strategies to elevate microbes in the climate conversation. 4. Launch High-Impact Demonstration Projects: Pilot real-world demonstration projects (e.g., reducing fertilizer runoff and restoring soil microbiomes) that achieve measurable ecological and economic outcomes, foster trust and inform policy. The strategy is more than just a roadmap; it’s a call to action. It invites policymakers, industry, funders, other microbiology organizations and the public to recognize microbes as vital allies in the fight against climate change, while charting a clear course for microbiology organizations to lead by example.  As a next step, the partners are moving to implement the strategy, beginning with the formation of a global coalition. They also commit to raising awareness and communicating about the importance of microbes for a healthy planet and a sustainable future. [By Joanna Urban for ASM] https://lnkd.in/eCUGcjDW

Honored to have joined a crucial conversation on PTV NEWS to discuss the urgent need for a paradigm shift in our approach to climate action, especially in the wake of the devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The tragic events in KP underscore that climate change is not a future threat; it is a current reality that demands immediate and collaborative action. During the discussion, I emphasized three key pillars for building resilience in our communities: Community Empowerment: Climate action must start from the ground up. True resilience is built by empowering communities and local authorities with the knowledge and resources to lead their own initiatives, ensuring they are the first responders. Science-Based Communication: The way we communicate is as important as the message itself. We need to translate scientific data into actionable, easy-to-understand messages for vulnerable communities to ensure timely and effective response. Mainstreaming Climate in Media: Climate change is not a niche topic; it's a core issue of human security and development. Media must integrate climate discourse into daily current affairs to foster consistent public awareness and accountability, so that our communities are never caught unprepared again. This is a crisis that demands urgent action from all sectors. I invite you to watch the full segment and share your thoughts. Let's work together to build a more resilient Pakistan. Link to the show: https://lnkd.in/dsp8Taez #ClimateAction #ClimateResilience #PakistanFloods #KP #CommunityEmpowerment #ClimateAdvocacy #HumNews #IOM #ClimateChange #SustainableDevelopment #SDGs