Why climate messages need more depth, not less

The webinar was organised by SLU Global, SLU Future Food and Urban Futures. During the webinar three SLU speakers highlighted how aspects such as the need for farmers’ knowledge, municipal collaboration on food preparedness and the way collective visions of the future – imaginaries –are all essential for climate adaptation governance. 

Christoffer Söderlund Kanarp was the first speaker on the topic ‘How government authorities in Sweden make sense of adaptation – and the role of global imaginaries in adaptation governance’.

The results presented was based on his PhD thesis with the title From Imagination to Practical Understandings: meaning making in climate change adaptation.  In his talk, Christoffer argued that authorities have certain assumptions about the future, which is based on old ways of organising a society. By framing climate change adaptation as ”not an end in itself – but a means to protect or create a desirable society”, and using the concept of ”imaginaries”, Christoffer argues adaptation governance is shaped by competing ”collectively held visions of a desirable futures that are materially embedded and politically performative, that relates to climate change, and contains adaptation strategies for its realisation”.

From his work, he contends two dominant imaginaries shape the Swedish public sector’s approach to adaptation. They both have certain shared assumptions and strategies; 1) climate change is gradual; 2) the future is predictable and controllable; and 3) long-term perspectives and high-risk scenarios are ignored. The response from civil servants is that they do not believe in the visions and assumptions guiding their work, but nonetheless reproduce the same assumptions and ends. Christoffer therefore concludes that new visions are necessary, which need to be translated into practical understandings, guiding the unreflective actions. Thus replacing current dominant imaginaries.

Kristina Blennow continued the webinar and highlighted ‘Knowledge needs for effective communications with Swedish farmers on climate change adaptation’. She claims that “insufficient attention is given to the roles and motivations of key stakeholders”. By referring to a study that explains why citizens responding to Climate Change Favour the Former, Kristina demonstrates how decision-making in response to climate change requires strong belief on local impacts of climate change. Mapping the decision problem among farmers and advisors is therefore essential. In addition, knowledge requirements are crucial for effective communication with Swedish farmers on climate change adaptation, so that farmers’ requirements are better communicated.

Andrew Gallagher finished the conversation with the talk ‘Sustainability, resilience, preparedness? Implementing approaches to complex food system challenges in Swedish municipalities’. Andrew claimed that municipalities are key food systems actors, as food challenges have increasing relevance for urban planning. Gallagher’s research demonstrates synergies through progressive localism. The conclusion is that more collaboration is necessary both horizontal across municipal departments, externally with food system actors, as well as vertically to shape multi-scalar policy.  

The webinar was finalised by an open discussion with speakers and attendees, which was moderated by Paul Egan, SLU Global and Håkan Jönsson, Guest professor at the Department of People and Society and coordinator for Food and Cities.  To conclude, the main messages from the webinar is something that relates to previous Climate Conversations on the communication topic; the target audience is crucial, meet people where they are at, and communicate a more complex narrative of climate change.

Article written by Anna-Klara Lindeborg, research advisor at SLU Global