The free, English-language email course ACTNOWBUTHOW was developed by copywriter Jasmin Scharrer, who has worked intensively on climate psychology and systems thinking. After experiencing a severe shitstorm on a paid meta ad about climate protection, she began to ask herself what happens in our brains when we are confronted with climate messages. Learn the basics of climate communication in just 10 days.
How do you think the course can help individuals and organizations do something about climate change?
The course is aimed at creative people such as designers, copywriters, and creators. It should motivate them to use their skills for climate communication, as this is an enormous lever for these professional groups. You already know how to emotionalize topics and get people excited — I'm just supplementing these skills with cool resources, studies, collaboration opportunities, and inspiration. For me, climate protection only began when I had the feeling that I was “needed.”
Can you name success stories of individuals or organizations who have attended the course and used it for meaningful climate protection measures?
I often get feedback that the course primarily makes it easier to get started with the topic. A designer used it to design an exhibition. Knowledge of climate psychology helps enormously, of course, because you don't want people to go home sad and hide under the covers, but to feel encouraged to do something.
In your opinion, what role does climate communication play in the larger fight against climate change and how can we further improve and develop our communication strategies?
David Attenborough said: “Saving our planet is now a communications challenge. We know what to do, we just need the will.” And I agree. We have to try out a lot more, be bolder, formulate and emotionalize messages in a different way so that we are ready for a future without oil. In fact, the climate crisis is also a boring topic because people always talk about it right away. I don't know how many times I've read the sentence “The climate crisis is real.” But we do know that. But how do we get started now?
What advice would you give someone who wants to fight for climate change but doesn't know where to start or how to make a difference?
Good question! Many start with bamboo toothbrushes, but what we need is actually networking and collaboration. After all, it is a systemic task. I would ask myself “What am I good at? What is my job? “And then just Google it. There are already For Future groups for a great many, such as Creatives for Future, Artists for Future or Creatives for Climate. You can quickly meet like-minded people and get to know opportunities. Local influence is also great, like participating in referendums. They are organized by GermanZero, for example. Or you bring the topic to your own soccer club.
