Meeting Abstract
The National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation has endeavored to build a community of climate science communicators through shared values, standardized training based on social science research, bringing educators and scientists into a shared learning space, and a unique focus on the social and emotional support needed for communicating difficult topics like climate change. At NNOCCI, we use shared societal values and tested metaphors to shift the national conversation on climate change to be positive, civic-minded, and solutions-focused. In the last decade, 184 informal education institutions and 440 individuals have joined the network, all by undergoing a structured training course focused on building trust among our members. Using a dyad structure and a regional model, we achieve high connectivity among members and a lowered barrier to collaboration among members that have not formally met. Our efforts are supported by multiple social medial platforms, including our own www.climateinterpreter.org, and our message has successfully been disseminated to hundreds of thousands of community members through many forms of communication. We look forward to exponentially growing the scientist contingency of our population in the coming years. By building trust and lasting bonds among members nationally, we strengthen a network of climate science communicators that feel emotionally supported in the work they do.
