Understanding and Communicating Climate Science

 In an age where climate change impacts are becoming increasingly evident, effective communication of climate science is needed now more than ever. Mt. Hood Community College's (MHCC) Community Education class, Communicating Climate Science Effectively, is designed to give students the knowledge and tools needed to convey climate science in easy-to-understand terms.

Instructor Eliot Headley brings a diverse background to the course, combining hands-on experience in the outdoors with formal schooling. Headley spent six years working as a guide for different activities, including kayaking, hiking, biking, and backcountry skiing. Through that work, he noticed the rapid changes in the environments he was exploring, which led him to pursue a master's degree in climate science and policy from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 

After completing his degree in 2022, Headley moved to Portland and started offering workshops tailored for outdoor guides to help them talk about the impacts of climate change. Seeing the broader relevance of these skills, he approached MHCC to ask about expanding the workshop into a community education course.

The Communicating Climate Science Effectively course is designed to be accessible and engaging, blending lectures with hands-on activities and group discussions.

"The class is about 50/50 between lectures and communication activities. We start by learning the basics global climate change science, then relate it to local phenomena, such as heat waves or significant weather events in Portland," Headley said.

Students will engage in communication exercises, emphasizing the importance of listening, building trust, finding commonality, and avoiding buzzwords.

"We practice talking about local climate impacts, using 'I' statements to create personal connections to the issue," Headley said.

Effective communication of climate science is needed to foster understanding and drive action.

"The effects of human-caused climate change are being noticed across many sectors, from farming to outdoor recreation," Headley said. "People often don't feel equipped to have productive conversations about climate change, which is where this course comes in. By bringing academic resources into everyday discussions, we can empower more people to communicate these impacts effectively." 

Headley has received exceptional feedback from students who have taken the course. 

"One of my students had recently experienced a wildfire. Through the course, they were able to talk about their feelings and discuss the issue more confidently," he said. "It's inspiring to see students open up and share their feelings about climate change while gaining the skills to communicate these issues more effectively."

While the topics covered in the course started out as a workshop for outdoor guides, it is designed to be helpful to everyone.

"This class is for anybody, regardless of their prior knowledge or experience with climate science," Headley said. "Our goal is to bring together a broad community and provide them with the tools to discuss climate change effectively in various settings—whether with family, friends, or colleagues." 

Whether you're a seasoned communicator or new to the topic, this class offers insights and skills that can help you make a difference.

For more information and to enroll, visit the community education website.