Tackling climate misinformation to increase community engagement

While the majority of people in Scotland think climate change is important, many people are sceptical of – and sometimes strongly against - climate action and policies. This scepticism is often enhanced or worsened by climate misinformation. This can make it difficult for groups and organisations to get community buy-in and sometimes groups face backlash to initiatives. During this interactive workshop, we will explore how communities across Lanarkshire are experiencing climate sceptic views and misinformation and what can be done to address misinformation to increase community engagement and buy-in. Our shared learnings and findings from the workshop will feed into a toolkit that can be used by groups and organisations to tackle the issue. At the workshop, we will be joined by Dr Lluis de Nadal Alsina whose research focuses on resistance to Net Zero policies and the influence of misinformation and Alex Randall from Climate Outreach who will cover a values-based segmentation framework and how it can be used to better engage different groups. The workshop is suitable to community groups and organisations, charities and third sector organisations and public sector staff. To ensure the greatest diversity at the workshop, we initially limit participation to max two members of staff/volunteers per group/organisation. The workshop is great for you if you: • Have struggled to get buy-in from your community on a climate or community initiative. • Feel unsure on how to engage members of your community who may be disengaged or sceptical of your work. • Are looking to start a new climate project and worry about how it will be received. • Want to tackle climate misinformation in your community. • Want to feed into a toolkit to address misinformation in our communities. Please see below for the full agenda. Accessibility at this event: We know that it’s sometimes difficult for everyone to attend because of unintended barriers. We want to make any necessary adjustments to our events so that no one is excluded. For example, this could include assistance with physically accessing the workshop or help with an interpreter. These adjustments will differ from event to event and person to person, so we need your help to get it right. Please inform us of your accessibility requirements and questions by emailing [email protected]. Refreshments: A vegetarian lunch will be provided on the day - please indicate any allergies and/or dietary requirements on the registration form. Travel: The closest train station is Hamilton Central, located 0.7miles from the venue (approx. 15 minute walk). Hamilton Town House is centrally located and there are bus links from throughout Lanarkshire and beyond. Traveline Scotland is a helpful resource for planning your journey. If you are cycling to the event, the closest bike racks are located by the entrance to Low Parks Museum - 129 Muir Street, Hamilton, ML3 6BJ. This is 0.3miles away and approximately a 7 minute walk to the Town House. The venue has a free car park. Please note that this is used by staff and other visitors to the Town House so can fill up quickly. If this car park is full, there is a South Lanarkshire Council managed car park (Auchingramont Road Car Park) directly beside the free car park. There is a charge for parking here with a maximum daily charge of £7.20. There is also charged on-street parking around the venue. At the venue: The building features level access, ramps at public entrances, automatic/hold-open doors, and passenger lifts. Assistance dogs are welcome at the venue. If you are bringing along an assistance dog, please indicate this via the sign up form. Accessing the workshop: This event will be held in the Cadzow Room at Hamilton Town House. To access the room, please enter the Town House via the entrance on Cadzow Street (and not via the Ticket Office on Lower Auchingramont Road). To access this entrance from either of the car parks, exit the car park the way you entered, turning left onto Lower Auchingramont Road, passing the Ticket Office. At the next corner, take a left and walk along to the end of the building which has a ramp and a sign above the door for the library. If coming via Hamilton Central, the route via Google Maps (or equivalent) brings you along Cadzow Street. The Cadzow Room is based on the first floor and there is a lift for access. There will be signs indicating how to access the room. Other: If you have any questions, please get in touch: [email protected].