April, 14 2025
Ep #2: Telling Better Climate Change Stories
Four science communicators shared personal accounts of how the climate has and is shifting from patterns they remember as children. We travel the world through stories from Spain to Italy, Russia and Panama diving into folklore, wildfires and the spread of disease. These stories invite our listeners to think about their own climate change experiences and ways they share their own perspectives on these shifts.
You Are The Expert of Your Own Climate Story
How has shifting weather patterns, warming temperatures and unprecedented storms changed your daily life? This was the question we posed to four science communicators who have lived and worked across multiple countries and have seen climate change consequences in their own lifetimes.
Spoiler alert, you have too! From prolonged summer seasons to flooding downpours in deserts, climate change effects are happening all around us every day. We want to know what influence our personal stories have on others' perception of climate change. Paula Croxson, President of the Board for Story Collider, facilitated an audience brainstorm in Part II of this episode to help us leverage storytelling tactics to inspire empathy and action.
“While growing up in Panama, I remember summers would be warm. But suddenly, between 12 and 1 in the morning, it would become significantly cooler as the wind would go still and colder air from the sea moved in. We call this 'La Silampa,' a pocket of cold air that would drop the temperature maybe five to ten degrees Celsius depending on local conditions.” said Ian Cooke Tapia, recounting how folklore and weather patterns have been intertwined in Latin American culture.
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Featured Speakers
Meet the speakers and facilitators of this conversation who shared personal accounts of climate change effects around the world and how to adapt your language to better reach your audiences.
Science Communicator & Neuroscientist
Dr. Paula Croxson
A neuroscientist and dynamic science storyteller, Paula brings brain research to life through bold public engagement and creative programming that makes cutting-edge science feel personal, powerful and impossible to ignore.
Science Illustrator & Graphic Designer
Dr. Sonia Guarnerio
A biotech-trained scientific illustrator with a Ph.D. background, Sonia transforms dense research into vibrant, eye-catching visuals that make complex science understandable and exciting.
Marine Biologist & Comic Artist
Anjleen Hannak
A marine biologist and scientific diver, Anjleen blends tropical coral reef research, shipwreck ecology in the Indian Ocean and vibrant science-inspired comic art to champion ocean conservation both below the surface and beyond it.
Creative Director at Cooked Illustrations
Ian Cooke Tapia
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A visual storyteller and founder of Cooked Illustrations, Ian uses bold, engaging illustration to bring scientific research, social issues and small business stories to life.
Science Designer & Illustrator
Elena Poritskaya
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A graphic designer and illustrator for science, healthcare and technology, Elena translates complex scientific concepts into clear, compelling visuals leveraging her background in both the fine arts and life sciences.
"Present climate change and climate problems are extremely important from a scientific point of view, but they also cross borders. Climate change consequences impact economic, political, cultural and social aspects, so our solutions must overlap those areas as well to make a radical and lasting change."
- Santiago Gisler
