Can alternatives to traditional messaging be more motivating or reach audiences who feel unable or unwilling to take action for sustainability? And what can we learn from sources outside the museological and visitor studies literature?

The climate and biodiversity crises need urgent action. Yet, many feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problems. They feel that any action they may take is drowned out by the inaction of others, or they are not aware of all the possibilities for action that actually exist. The result is all too well known—despite decades of science communication about these topics, the planet is in the middle of a sixth mass extinction and devastating climate change.

In this session, speakers will share examples of how alternative communication may encourage more people to take a broader scope of actions, and how evidence-based strategies from social psychology can aid informal science education in targeting these crucial topics.

This session is part of the Biodiversity and climate crisis conference track.