Climate communication is more than the transmission of facts – it is a key prerequisite for societal transformation. In her talk at the international “Communicating Climate Hope” conference, Eva-Maria McCormack – founder of Talking Hope and author of the Manifesto for Hope – advocated for a new, socially just social contract as the foundation of climate transformation. 

Her central message: talking about climate also means talking about social justice, democratic participation, and hope. Without taking diverse lived experiences into account, the path towards sustainable living conditions remains incomplete – and so does the communication surrounding it. McCormack demonstrated how climate communication can be shaped to engage as many people as possible, to present empowering visions of the future, and to use hope as a political driver for action. 

The talk was part of an interdisciplinary exchange between academia, civil society, and communication professionals, and addressed all those who seek to imagine and create new approaches to climate communication.