Exeter Climate Forum | Exeter, 2026

Thinking the Unthinkable partnered with the University of Exeter to deliver a thought-provoking session exploring one of the biggest barriers to climate action: how to communicate effectively in an increasingly polarised and misinformation-rich environment.

Moderated by Nik Gowing, the discussion brought together experts as part of the Exeter Climate Forum. The session explored why public understanding continues to lag behind scientific evidence, and what communicators must do differently to reach wider audiences. Watch the session now.

What we achieved

The discussion challenged the assumption that climate communication is simply about presenting more evidence. Instead, speakers explored why many existing messages fail to resonate, despite growing public concern and increasingly visible climate impacts. David Shukman drew on his experience as the BBC’s Science Editor to argue that communication must focus on the real-world consequences people experience, from extreme heat and flooding to health and financial security.

The session also highlighted new cutting-edge research from Potential Energy, based on more than 80,000 respondents across six countries. Matthew Phillips shared how communications are most effective when they connect climate action to everyday priorities such as health, money and love. The session continued with an open forum with contributions from Peter Browning, Sandra Ata and Jack Slater-Wells. The workshop continued to explore how organisations can communicate with greater clarity, and deliver the right messages that work. All while combating misinformation and political polarisation.

Impact

By bringing together research, media expertise and practical communications experience, the session equipped participants with new ways to think about climate engagement. Rather than focusing solely on changing minds through facts, it reinforced the importance of trust, relevance and human stories. This session provided attendees with real tools to communicate climate action more effectively in an increasingly complex public landscape.