Explore every episode of the podcast Communicating Earth
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Waters, Founder, Renewable English | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:45:17 | |
What can climate and nature communicators learn from climate education in schools? Tom speaks to Harry Waters, founder of Renewable English, about helping teachers and students to make their classrooms into engines of climate action and hope. Harry has helped mobilise 3,000 students across Europe to move beyond the “three Rs” and into real-world agency. In this episode he explains his approach:
And we learn what might help us get better at climate communication:
From cooking meals in a car during 47°C heatwaves to Zoom calls empowering pre-teens in English, this episode is about one thing: moving from awareness to agency. Recommended Film: Don’t Look Up Follow Harry Waters at https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-waters/ Additional notes: Bilnet Schools - https://bilnetokullari.com/en Jack Johnson, The Three Rs Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6IbRSRe8MQ Kids Against Plastic - https://kidsagainstplastic.co.uk/ Don’t Look Up - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Look_Up National Geographic Learning - https://www.eltngl.com/ Kris De Meyer, Transforming the stories we tell about climate change: From 'issue' to 'action' - https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/transforming-the-stories-we-tell-about-climate-change-from-issue-/
Run time: 45m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| Tamsin Bishton, Head of Communications, Climate Acceptance Studios | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:44:39 | |
What happens when you stop competing in a zero-sum game and give people a meaningful action to take? Tom sits down with Tamsin Bishton, the new Head of Communications at Climate Acceptance Studios, to unpack a story of action from her time leading communications at Rewilding Britain. In 2019 the small team at Rewilding Britain spotted a narrow window of opportunity to influence policy, activate an engaged supporter base and make the connection in the public imagination between nature and climate. They launched a bold campaign linking land use, carbon capture and nature restoration - grounded in rigorous science, powered by partnership and activated through a UK parliamentary petition. The results: 100k signatures, a parliamentary debate and wider influence on policy, widespread media coverage, and massive increases in social followers and email subscribers. In this episode, Tamsin reflects on:
Recommended book: Active Hope by Joanna Macy Follow Tamsin Bishton at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsinbishton/ Additional notes:
Released: 25/2/26 Run time: 44m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| Ed Maibach, Founding Director, George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:44:19 | |
What does it take to dismantle climate skepticism in one of the most trusted professions in America? Tom Clark sits down with Professor Ed Maibach to unpack one of the most remarkable stories in modern climate communication. 16 years ago, US TV weathercasters were split down the middle on human-caused climate change. Today, more than 95% accept the science and they’re reporting on local climate impacts 1,200% more often than before. In this episode Ed reveals how this transformation happened, exploring:
Recommended book: Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Follow Ed Maibach at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-maibach-0537882b/ Additional notes: Climate Matters Project https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/climate-matters/ Oil and Tobacco PR playbook https://www.ciel.org/news/oil-tobacco-denial-playbook/ TV Weathercasters’ Views of Climate Change Evolving https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/98/10/bams-d-15-00206.1.pdf Senator Bill Frist on How Climate Is a Health Issue https://time.com/collections/earth-awards-2025/7279443/bill-frist-acceptance-speech/ Katharine Hayhoe https://www.ted.com/speakers/katharine_hayhoe Every 10th Degree matters https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/ Renewables cheaper than fossil fuels Margaret Mead quote The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-crisis Fossil fuel subsidies https://ourworldindata.org/how-much-subsidies-fossil-fuels Cleaner air for Londoners https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgq9nnj274xo
Run time: 44m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| Steph Speck, Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:48:37 | |
Title: Steph Speck, Global Director, Strategic Partnerships, Engagement and Communication at the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT The one strategy climate communicators need: unity in a sea of messages Steph Speck talks to podcast host Tom Clark. Steph is a global leader in climate investments and she shares her experience of:
Perfect for climate communicators and activists, this episode offers insights into crafting compelling narratives that foster hope, trust, and urgency - ultimately transforming complex science into actionable change. Recommended books: Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson & What We Can Know by Ian McEwan Follow Steph at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-speck-51416511/ Additional notes: 89% project - https://89percent.org/ Pluralistic Ignorance - https://wearethemajority.earth/ Jacqueline Novogratz - https://acumen.org/jacqueline-novogratz/ Carbon footprint - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/23/big-oil-coined-carbon-footprints-to-blame-us-for-their-greed-keep-them-on-the-hook Fossil fuel subsidies - https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/wp/2025/english/wpiea2025270-source-pdf.pdf Mistral AI “Le Chat” - https://mistral.ai/ ESG AI footprint calculator - http://impact.esg.ai/ Catherine McKenna - https://www.womenleadingonclimate.org/our-podcast Released: 11 February 2026 Run time: 48 minutes Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| Tom Clark, CEO of Climate Acceptance Studios | 04 Feb 2026 | 00:43:58 | |
The power of real stories to inspire action Podcast Host Emma Crow-Willard talks with Tom Clark about:
Recommended book: The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells Released: 4 February 2026 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Audible | Amazon Music | |||
| Communicating Earth Trailer | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:01:23 | |
People are taking action around the world to combat the climate and nature crises. These stories of action lead to more action. Follow along: https://climateacceptancestudios.com/communicating_earth | |||
| Rob Cooper, Host, Climate Unf*cked Podcast | 13 May 2026 | 00:53:14 | |
Description: Rob Cooper, host of the Climate Unf*cked podcast speaks to Tom Clark, host of Communicating Earth podcast. Rob launched his podcast last year after an ayahuasca “moment” in Bolivia in 2022. In this discussion he shares what he’s learned so far including:
Listen to Rob Cooper’s tips on how to create podcast content that cuts through the noise to reach your audience and walks the line between pro-comms and authenticity - whilst landing climate messaging and sparking action. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-coop/ Recommended book: Speaking To My Daughter About the Economy by Yanis Varoufakis https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu/books/talking-to-my-daughter-about-the-economy-a-brief-history-of-capitalism/ Notes: Climate Unf*cked podcast - https://climateunfucked.substack.com/ The Big Bang Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bang_Theory Kevin Anderson - https://climateuncensored.com/ Carbon Brief - https://www.carbonbrief.org/ The Third Door by Alex Banyan - https://alexbanayan.com/book/ The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson - https://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fuck Tim Ferris - https://tim.blog/podcast/ Outrage and Optimism - https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/ Simon Clark - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRRr_xrOm66qaigIbwFLvbQ The Infinite Monkey Cage - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00snr0w The Graham Norton Show - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006xnzc Reform Radio - https://www.reformradio.co.uk/ Released: 13 May 2026 Run Time: 53 minutes Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | |||
| Phil Korbel, Co-Founder of The Carbon Literacy Project | 06 May 2026 | 00:48:32 | |
Phil Korbel, Co-Founder of The Carbon Literacy Project, talks to host Tom Clark in the latest episode made by and for climate communicators. Phil is a global leader in climate education and The Carbon Literacy Project has trained more than 160,000 people in more than 14,000 organisations including BBC, Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, NHS, Patagonia and many more. Phil shares his mission to:
If he could get us to do one thing differently as communicators it would be to “drop the polar bears” and focus on personal, local stories that align with people's existing values. Recommended Book: "Don't Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change" by George Marshall https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/dont-even-think-about-it-9781632861023/ Follow Phil Korbel at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-korbel-2425264/ Additional Notes:
Released: 6 May 2026 Run Time: 48 minutes | |||
| Lucia Schweigert, Strategic Director, Life Size | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:55:29 | |
How to communicate complex climate technology like a human being Nathaniel Walters speaks with Lucia Schweigert, Strategic Director at climate tech communications agency Life Size. A former flamenco dancer turned climate communicator, Lucia explains how storytelling, strategy and human psychology shape the adoption of climate technologies. Hear Lucia’s experience of:
Lucia argues that effective communication isn’t “a nice extra”, it’s essential. Because if climate technologies aren’t understood, invested in, and adopted, they won’t scale fast enough to transform the industries that drive the climate crisis. Connect with Lucia on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/luciaschweigert/ Life Size https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-size-media Recommended book: “How to Feed the World” by Vaclav Smil: https://vaclavsmil.com/book/how-to-feed-the-world/ Additional notes: Life Size: https://lifesizemedia.com/ Kempower: https://kempower.com/ Synhelion: https://synhelion.com Sustainable Air Fuel (SAF): https://flightfree.co.uk/post/the-trouble-with-saf/ David Attenborough: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Attenborough Nina Harjula: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninamariaharjula/ Chris Wedding’s Climate CEOs newsletter: https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/about Bloomberg’s Green Daily: https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/green-daily Released: 29 April 2026 Run time: 55m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| John Marshall, Founder and CEO, Potential Energy Coalition | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:47:41 | |
Can you “sell” climate action like a product? In this episode, John Marshall, the founder of Potential Energy Coalition, makes the case that the barrier to climate progress isn’t awareness, it’s relevance. Drawing on the deep data of digital advertising and longitudinal studies tracking millions of people, he explores why climate messaging underperforms - and what actually moves people to act. John’s work starts with the audience’s life: their bills, their kids, their taxes. His research shows that “soft support” for climate action is already high - but fragile. He argues that the difference between apathy and urgency often comes down to one thing: whether communicators connect climate to everyday consequences. This conversation is packed with practical tactics and a challenge:
It’s about treating climate communication as a system you can measure, test and win. Recommended book: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert Follow John Marshall at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-marshall-1a61b516/ Additional notes: Potential Energy Coalition - https://www.potentialenergycoalition.org/ Email Potential Energy Coalition your questions at - info@potentialenergycoalition.org Five Simple Shifts for Climate Communication in 2026 - https://potentialenergycoalition.org/2026-climate-change-communicators-guide-five-key-shifts/ Potential Energy Coalition’s That’s Interesting Newsletter - https://potentialenergycoalition.org/newsletter/ By The Time Super Bowl Ad -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rnfywUFFSU Swayable - https://www.swayable.com/ Yale Program on Climate Change Communication - https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/ We Mean Business Coalition - https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/ Outrage + Optimism Podcast - https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/ Released: 22 April 2026 Run time: 48m | |||
| Gemma Parkes, Head of Communications, Nature Positive Initiative | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:49:05 | |
What does it take to make the world care about a fish? In this episode of Communicating Earth, Nathaniel speaks with Gemma Parkes—Head of Communications at the Nature Positive Initiative—about storytelling as a tool for system change. From global coalitions to Paris Metro ads, Gemma has spent her career translating complex environmental crises into narratives that move power: policymakers, businesses, and the public. At the heart of the conversation is a deceptively simple idea: communications isn’t broadcasting—it’s participation. Gemma unpacks how campaigns like the Atlantic bluefin tuna recovery succeeded not through a single message, but through a coordinated “ecosystem” of stories—science, culture, industry, and identity—all working together. She also explores the limits of awareness: why people can care deeply but still fail to act, how misinformation reshapes the playing field, and why the future of climate communication is collaborative, interactive, and strategically targeted. This is a conversation about moving beyond noise—toward narratives that actually shift decisions, behaviours, and outcomes. Recommended book: The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall Follow Gemma Parkes at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmaparkes/ Additional notes: Nature Positive: https://www.naturepositive.org/ Nature Positive book: https://www.naturepositive.org/book/ Nature Positive film: https://www.naturepositive.org/film/ Kyoto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_(play) Nathaniel’s reference to the book on history of fishing - W. Jeffrey Bolster, Mortal Sea: Fishing the Atlantic in the Age of Sail Released: 15 April 2026 Run time: 49m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| Rebecca Wynn, Communications Lead, Our Kids' Climate | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:50:26 | |
What if the most powerful climate message isn’t data but love? In this episode, Tom speaks with Rebecca Wynn, Head of Communications at Our Kids' Climate, about building a global movement rooted not in expertise, but in care. Rebecca traces her journey from civil servant to “mother activist,” and explains how a visceral realisation—imagining her son’s life in 2030 and 2050—reshaped her entire approach to communication. At the heart of her work is the simple idea that parents are trusted, relatable messengers, and love is a mobilising force. Through the “Our Kids’ Air” campaign, she shares how hundreds of parent groups across 50+ countries coordinated action—from WHO conference interventions to WhatsApp-organised protests—without sacrificing authenticity. This conversation explores a different model of climate communication: one that blends top-down influence with bottom-up storytelling, trades rigid message discipline for creative ownership, and replaces abstract futures with tangible, human stakes. Recommended book: The poems of Mary Oliver, especially Wild Geese, The Summer Day, When I Am Among the Trees Follow Rebecca Wynn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-wynn-2b4b6029/ Additional notes: “We are the Majority” video - https://wearethemajority.earth/ Our Kids’ Climate - https://ourkidsclimate.org/ Clean Air Fund case study on parent-led action - https://www.cleanairfund.org/case-study/parental-love-drives-clean-air-action/ “Every Breath Tells a Story” (Our Kids Air film) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUK2JBvPdVE Warrior Moms (India) - https://warriormoms.in/ Mothers Rise Up (UK) - https://www.mothersriseup.org/ Mother’s Rise Up with giant inhaler prop - https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2025/03/16/mothers-rise-up-protest/ Parents for Climate (Australia) - https://www.parentsforclimate.org/ For Our Kids (Canada) - https://www.forourkids.ca/ Parents for Future (UK) - https://parentsforfuture.org.uk/ Mums for Lungs (UK) - https://www.mumsforlungs.org/ Research on effects of ULEZ on children’s lung health after - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12556170/ Potential Energy Coalition - https://potentialenergycoalition.org/ Released: 8/4/26 Run time: 50m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| Dina Cappiello, Climate, energy and sustainability communications | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:54:46 | |
Why hasn’t all the science, data, and urgency translated into faster climate action? Tom Clark sits down with Dina Cappiello, former Chief Communications Officer at RMI and explores why communication itself is what’s blocking faster climate action. Drawing on a career spanning journalism, PR, and the NGO world, Dina argues that facts alone don’t move people - stories do. In this episode learn about:
Listen to a powerful case study: how a story about the Empire State Building helped make energy efficiency inspiring. If you’re trying to change minds - or the world - this conversation is essential listening. Recommended film: Microcosmos (1996) Follow Dina Cappiello at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-cappiello-1937268/ Additional notes: Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) - https://rmi.org/ Canary Media - https://www.canarymedia.com/ Climate Now - https://www.climatenow.com/ The Daily https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily Microcosmos - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosmos_(film) Climate Colored Goggles - https://substack.com/@climatecoloredgoggles Katherine Hayhoe - https://www.katharinehayhoe.com/ Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC) - https://gsccnetwork.org/ Released: 31/3/26 Run time: 55m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||
| Kris De Meyer, Director, UCL Climate Action Unit | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:45:15 | |
What if action, not awareness, is the key to communicating about climate change? In this episode, Tom speaks with neuroscientist and climate communication expert Kris de Meyer about the psychology of agency, belief, and action. Drawing on years of research - and a pivotal moment watching a misleading climate documentary - Kris explains why information alone doesn’t change minds, and why persuasion is often the wrong goal entirely. Hear Kris argue for:
Learn more about how beliefs are shaped by action, why listening beats arguing, and how communicators - from scientists to campaigners - can unlock “penny drop” moments that lead to real change. If you’re trying to communicate climate more effectively, this episode offers a powerful reframing: don’t just tell people what’s wrong - help them discover what they can do. Recommended books: Fairhaven: A Novel of Climate Optimism by Steve Willis & Jan Lee https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/209228205-fairhaven / The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Follow Kris De Meyer at https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisdm/ Additional notes: Climate Action Unit (UCL) - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-action-unit/ Transforming the Stories We Tell About Climate Change: From Issue to Action: A 2020 paper written by Kris - https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abcd5a TED Talk: How to Stop Feeling Stuck on Climate Change - https://www.ted.com/talks/kris_de_meyer_how_to_stop_feeling_stuck_on_climate_change Right Between Your Ears - https://filmfreeway.com/454046 An Inconvenient Truth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inconvenient_Truth Star Trek: The Next Generation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation Released: 24/3/26 Run time: 45m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | |||
| James Dyke, Associate Professor in Earth System Dynamics, University of Exeter | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:51:04 | |
What happens when climate scientists refuse to stay in their lane? Tom Clark speaks with Dr. James Dyke, Earth systems scientist at the University of Exeter. James is also the co-author of the influential article in 2021: Climate scientists: concept of net zero is a dangerous trap, where he and fellow academics argued: that net zero, “... is a great idea, in principle. Unfortunately, in practice it helps perpetuate a belief in technological salvation and diminishes the sense of urgency surrounding the need to curb emissions now.” In this conversation hear James discuss:
In this powerful discussion hear why James believes that we may have failed to avoid dangerous climate change - but that doesn’t mean we’re doomed. Recommended book: Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman Follow James Dyke at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgdyke/ Additional notes: Climate scientists: concept of net zero is a dangerous trap - https://theconversation.com/climate-scientists-concept-of-net-zero-is-a-dangerous-trap-157368 Gaia hypothesis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis Planet Critical - https://www.planetcritical.com/about/ Lawyers Are Responsible - https://www.lar.earth/ Strategic Climate Risks Initiative - https://www.scri.org.uk/ Global Tipping Points - https://global-tipping-points.org/ Released: 18/03/26 Run time: 51m Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | |||
| Emilie McGlone, Executive Director, Peace Boat US | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:40:02 | |
What does it mean to turn a ship into a communications platform for the planet? In this episode, Nathaniel Walters speaks with Emilie McGlone, Director of Peace Boat US, about using an international vessel as a floating hub for climate action, ocean advocacy, and peacebuilding. Hear how Peace Boat mobilised youth leaders, artists, universities, government ministers and media to amplify the UN High Seas (BBNJ) Treaty and the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. Emilie talks about:
From the Nobel Peace Prize exhibition onboard to youth-led ocean advocacy, this episode explores how testimony, partnership and place-based storytelling can turn global treaties into a story of action that people get inspired from. Recommended Series: Our Oceans https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81139969 Follow Emilie McGlone at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-mcglone/ Additional notes: Peaceboat / Ecoship: https://peaceboat.org/english/ / https://ecoship-pb.com/ Dr Sylvia Earle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Earle Zandile Ndhlovu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zandile_Ndhlovu Our Oceans / Netflix: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Oceans Democracy Now: https://www.democracynow.org/ UNFCCC: https://unfccc.int/ COP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Climate_Change_Conference Released: 11/3/26 Run time: 40 minutes Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube | |||