How “weird weather” can drive important conversations

Abby Ross, CEO, The Resiliency Company

Everyone’s noticed the weather is getting weird. And it’s not just the headline grabbing $1B disasters that happen on average every 18 days.

We talk about how the weather is getting weird at family parties and during the first few minutes of Zoom calls. The evidence of weird weather shows up in the form of:

• “My allergies came in early this year”

• “My kids can’t go to the park today because of air quality from fires”

• “I’m late because the road near my house flooded again”

In these moments, simply citing the weird weather as a byproduct of climate change does a disservice to the moment and future ahead. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge the fact that we need to – and have the knowledge and skills to – adapt to the changed and changing weather.

This April in Chicago wasn’t noticeably “weird”, but it was rainy. As a Chicagoan, I was targeted with this timely article, “Flooding in Chicago is getting worse. Here's why.” It got me thinking about some of the core principles for how we talk to people and communities about the need to adapt.

1. Use accessible language

The article does a good job of explaining why flooding is getting worse using straightforward language, whether sharing scientific evidence, stories from the community, or describing interventions. The reader is left with a clear understanding of how increased rainfall, limited sewage capacity, and the city’s water infrastructure budget has made flooding a challenge to address.

2. Give hope with specific actions

In addition to the explanation, there is an actionable follow-up piece about the specific, easy and inexpensive steps Chicagoans can take to reduce flooding around their homes and in their neighborhoods. The majority of coverage about climate change can get depressing quickly. I’ve found that people can feel powerless against the threat because the required collective action feels so massive.

But adapting your home and community to the effects of the changed and changing weather is within reach and people are more inclined to do it if they can see the associated benefits are within their control.

3. Keep it local

The weather in Chicago is different from Texas. The weather in Texas is different from New Hampshire. Talking about the weather and the need to adapt to it needs to be local, not national or global. This map from Probable Futures, a company that we fiscally sponsor, shows us how levels of precipitation are likely to change across the US. You can zoom right into your town or city.

Interactive Change in Precipitation in "1-in-100-year Storm Map found on Probable Futures

While everywhere will experience more precipitation, adaptation strategies will depend on local geography and circumstances.

4. Be persistent

The “What is Climate Adaptation” explainer, also by Probable Futures, reminds us that adaptation has always been an integral part of life. With the climate changing faster than it ever has in human history, adaptation means that people and communities need to proactively plan and adjust.

These local media articles should be consistently in the news cycle, whenever the weather gets weird, to remind people that this will keep happening - and to give hope there are actions you can take.

The science of climate change is clear but the message that we need to become resilient to it is not always received. Jargon-free, practical and local information is invaluable, as are nationwide, science-based tools that translate global changes to local circumstances. We have the knowledge and skills to become resilient but we need greater purpose and strategy in our use of communications and media.