Developing community-based climate messengers

Developing Community-Based Climate Messengers: Training and peer learning to expand capacity and opportunities for climate communication, education, and action across Greater Minnesota

Heidi Roop, Principal Investigator
Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and Extension, U of M Twin Cities

The U of M Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships and Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership seek to pilot and test a rigorous program for training and supporting trusted community messengers to engage in climate change conversations across Greater Minnesota. A cohort of 15 diverse messengers will receive training in solutions-oriented climate change communication and mentorship for piloting their messaging at community meetings. The training will build on existing evidence-based climate communication training models to empower local messengers with the resources, confidence, and knowledge needed to integrate climate change into community conversations and actions. Others working toward greater climate engagement (SDG#13) in Minnesota can scale and replicate this approach.