Global Perspectives & Research – Communication | e-Consult

Presenting on climate change adaptation to a diverse public audience requires careful consideration of both content and language. Here's a suggested structure and language strategy:

1. Introduction: Start with a relatable opening – perhaps a local example of climate change impacts or a compelling visual. Clearly define climate change and adaptation in accessible terms.
2. Understanding the Impacts: Explain the potential impacts of climate change (e.g., extreme weather, sea-level rise, food security) in a way that is easy to understand, avoiding overly technical details. Use visuals to illustrate these impacts.
3. Adaptation Strategies: Present a range of adaptation strategies, categorising them for clarity (e.g., infrastructure improvements, agricultural changes, community preparedness). Provide concrete examples of each strategy.
4. Benefits of Adaptation: Highlight the benefits of adaptation – e.g., protecting livelihoods, improving public health, enhancing economic resilience.
5. Call to Action: Conclude with a clear call to action – what can individuals, communities, and governments do to support climate change adaptation?

Language Adaptation for a Varied Audience:

• Avoid Technical Terms: Replace technical jargon with plain language explanations. For example, instead of "mitigation," use "reducing the amount of greenhouse gases."
• Use Analogies and Metaphors: Employ analogies and metaphors to help the audience understand complex concepts. For example, compare sea-level rise to a slowly rising tide.
• Visual Communication: Rely heavily on visuals (graphs, charts, images, videos) to convey information.
• Storytelling: Incorporate personal stories or case studies to make the presentation more engaging and relatable.
• Inclusive Language: Use inclusive language that avoids jargon or assumptions about the audience's background or knowledge.
• Check for Understanding: Regularly check for understanding by asking questions and encouraging audience participation.

The presentation should be structured to be easily digestible by a broad audience, using clear, concise language, relatable examples, and strong visual support. The language should be accessible and avoid assumptions about prior knowledge.