How can the science of storytelling drive action on climate change?

Climate change can often feel overwhelming, distant, or abstract. We’re surrounded by data about rising temperatures, emissions targets and future risks – yet knowing the facts doesn’t always translate into action. And this can be true for many issues which feel beyond our control, such as the cost-of-living crisis or tackling child poverty. Increasingly, researchers are asking why the gap between knowledge and action exists, and what actually helps people, organisations and governments move from understanding a problem to doing something about it. The UCL Climate Action Unit takes an unconventional approach to this challenge. Rather than producing traditional academic research, the team works directly with industry and policymakers to co-create practical tools, stories and “action possibilities” that help decision-makers imagine and implement change. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, storytelling and lived experience, their work focuses on building a sense of agency – helping people explore and understand how to act, not just why they should. In this episode, we meet Daniel Jonusas, who shares his views on how stories shape belief and behaviour, and how data, neuroscience and imagination can come together to influence real-world climate decisions. Find out more about the UCL Climate Action Unit: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-action-...In this episode, Shayda mentions some case studies on meaningful public engagement. Read them here: https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/sk... Want to know more about administrative data? Visit: adruk.org  Connecting Society is presented by Shayda Kashef and Mark Green, our producers are Eleanor Collard, Holly Greenland, Laura Mulvey and Shayda Kashef. This podcast is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK), a partnership transforming public sector data into research insights and policy evidence to improve lives. We are an investment by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation. Views expressed in interviews are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of ADR UK.Connecting Society is presented by Shayda Kashef and Mark Green, our producers are Eleanor Collard, Holly Greenland, Laura Mulvey and Shayda Kashef. This podcast is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK), a partnership transforming public sector data into research insights and policy evidence to improve lives. We are an investment by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation.