Beyond the Choir: Climate Messaging in a Polarised World

In the wake of local elections and As London Climate Action Week approaches, join us at The Conduit for an informative event on making the most of messaging. Together, we’ll unpack why the same words — like “freedom,” “security,” or even “climate action” — can trigger completely different reactions depending on the audience. Drawing on the research and real-world campaigning experience of Dr Stephen Backhouse, the session will offer practical tools to communicate more effectively across divides, without diluting your message.

We’ll also look at how polarisation and culture wars don’t just affect how we engage opponents; they shape dynamics within our own movements too. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of these tensions, and concrete strategies to navigate them in their work.

Event Schedule

6:00pm: Pre-event socialising and networking
A cash bar will be available for refreshments.

6:15pm: Workshop begins

7:00pm: Panel Discussion and Reflections

7:45pm: Event ends

Speakers

Clover Hogan is a climate activist and the founder of Force of Nature. She has worked alongside the world’s leading authorities on sustainability, consulted within the boardrooms of Fortune 50 companies, and helped students in 50+ countries take action. Clover has taken the stage alongside global change-makers such as Jane Goodall and Vandana Shiva; interviewed the 14th Dalai Lama; and her TED talk has been viewed almost 2 million times.

Dr Stephen Backhouse is a strategy consultant, working with companies, nonprofits and governments to tackle complex leadership and multi-stakeholder problems. An expert in the philosophy of power, he often helps people navigate our increasingly polarised world of populism and religious nationalism. As a commentator and researcher, he writes about politics, religion, philosophy and history, and has appeared on numerous podcasts.

Hannah Phang is the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of The Now Work. With a background in social innovation and human-centred design, Hannah brings a creative approach to helping start-ups, fast-growing scale-ups, and global corporates advance their sustainability ambitions. She has served on the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Action Steering Committee and was named one of Vogue Business’s Top 100 Innovators for Sustainability.