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July 30, 2021
Introduction and key learnings
2
of Americans are highly
concerned about climate
change
27%
2
2
only
3
of them discuss
climate change often
7%
3
only
How do we dramatically
grow
this market?
4
4
5
How do we get
people to care about
climate change?
5
Introducing The Potential Energy Coalition
• We are new, nonpartisan nonprofit, founded by John Marshall of Lippincott and Professor Dan
Schrag, Head of Harvard’s Environmental Department and Climate Science advisor to President
Obama.
• We have assembled a team of the world’s best marketers, committed to working on a pro bono
basis to change the climate narrative. This team is using the most advanced marketing tools to
understand consumers and motivate them to action.
• We have built a Climate Persuasion Engine - using the most advanced media, data & analytics
and creative - to significantly grow the number of citizens demand a plan at the lowest possible
cost.
• We are launching persuasion campaigns to get a majority of citizens to support immediate,
aggressive action to solve this crisis.
Change
the narrative
Radically
grow the size of
the movement
OUR GOALS
Potential Energy Coalition
Project Name November 2019
26%
say they are
worried
29%
actually talk
about it ofn
Increase in
support for
immediate
government
action, by
climate
segment
Source: Potential Energy|Civis Climate Persuadability Analytics
We have proven that when we communicate well, we move people
significantly...
The Top Decile of Most Persuadable Citizens:
● Average age 51
● 92% women
● 41% more likely to be a parent
● Twice as likely to be Hispanic
● Average income < $100k
● Mix of high school and college
● Equal parts Republican and Democrat
● Highly concerned about pollution
● Low engagement on climate change
…. and we understand who the most moveable citizens are
Source: Potential Energy|Civis Climate Persuadability Analytics
Four key learnings on how to move people
People have no idea what we are talking
about
What’s works are human stories about
”people like me”
We’re not fighting climate change, we’re
fighting the polluters causing it
Irreversibility and fear of loss motivate
1. Simplicity
2. Humanity
1. Accountability
4. Urgency
Learning #1: Simplicity
People have
no idea what we are
talking about
< 25%
of people understand there
is complete scientific
consensus
12
People don’t understand what we are talking about
What causes climate change?
only 28%
think renewables have
become less expensive
Source: California data, Civis Analytics US Study,
filtered for CA, n = 509
Cost to enroll a citizen to demand a plan for climate action
13
Most communications use policy language that doesn’t connect
Just say no to:
Decarbonization
Net zero
Anthropogenic
GHG
Methane
Policy = Marketing
/
Sources: Potential Energy Digital Lab testing, 2020
Warming
Overheating
Emissions
Pollution
Changing climate Extreme
weather
Simple, vivid language works
Learning #2: Humanity
What we need are
human stories
Ad about moms thinking about their kids’ future
16
Messaging about people’s individual needs, identities,
fears and hopes performs dramatically better
Ad about the prosperity from solving climate change
Example test:
9.5%
lift in strong support
for immediate
climate action
1.5%
lift in strong
support for
immediate climate
action
INNOVATION BOOM
Sources: Potential Energy RCT research, 2021
Learning #3: Accountability
We’re not fighting climate
change, we’re fighting
polluters who cause it
Holding polluters accountable remains the highest performing message
across the globe
Persuasion lift in
“strong support for
government action”
Sources: Potential Energy Europe study, Nov 2020, n=7,004, Civis Analytics US study, n=7,915
Learning #4: Urgency
Irreversibility and the
fear of loss motivate
people
Ad highlighting irreversible loss affecting the next generation
20
When people understand today’s actions cannot be undone, they become
strong supporters
INNOVATION BOOM
8.2%
lift in strong support
for immediate
climate action
Sources: Potential Energy RCT research, 2021
Some recent insights
about California
Three critical facts about the Californian citizen and climate
1. People are making the connection between
climate change and fires and droughts
1. The impacts of climate are more motivating
than concerns about the grid
1. Citizens think California is not doing nearly
enough to fight climate change
● 90% of people see them as connected or
highly connected
● What are you most worried about?
Wildfires:
35%
Drought:
30%
Reliability of grid: 8%
● 60% say CA is doing minimal or nothing
● Only 6% say CA is doing more than
enough
Source: Potential Energy research, July 2021, n=3600

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How to Talk About Climate Change

  • 1. July 30, 2021 Introduction and key learnings
  • 2. 2 of Americans are highly concerned about climate change 27% 2 2 only
  • 3. 3 of them discuss climate change often 7% 3 only
  • 4. How do we dramatically grow this market? 4 4
  • 5. 5 How do we get people to care about climate change? 5
  • 6. Introducing The Potential Energy Coalition • We are new, nonpartisan nonprofit, founded by John Marshall of Lippincott and Professor Dan Schrag, Head of Harvard’s Environmental Department and Climate Science advisor to President Obama. • We have assembled a team of the world’s best marketers, committed to working on a pro bono basis to change the climate narrative. This team is using the most advanced marketing tools to understand consumers and motivate them to action. • We have built a Climate Persuasion Engine - using the most advanced media, data & analytics and creative - to significantly grow the number of citizens demand a plan at the lowest possible cost. • We are launching persuasion campaigns to get a majority of citizens to support immediate, aggressive action to solve this crisis.
  • 7. Change the narrative Radically grow the size of the movement OUR GOALS
  • 8. Potential Energy Coalition Project Name November 2019 26% say they are worried 29% actually talk about it ofn Increase in support for immediate government action, by climate segment Source: Potential Energy|Civis Climate Persuadability Analytics We have proven that when we communicate well, we move people significantly...
  • 9. The Top Decile of Most Persuadable Citizens: ● Average age 51 ● 92% women ● 41% more likely to be a parent ● Twice as likely to be Hispanic ● Average income < $100k ● Mix of high school and college ● Equal parts Republican and Democrat ● Highly concerned about pollution ● Low engagement on climate change …. and we understand who the most moveable citizens are Source: Potential Energy|Civis Climate Persuadability Analytics
  • 10. Four key learnings on how to move people People have no idea what we are talking about What’s works are human stories about ”people like me” We’re not fighting climate change, we’re fighting the polluters causing it Irreversibility and fear of loss motivate 1. Simplicity 2. Humanity 1. Accountability 4. Urgency
  • 11. Learning #1: Simplicity People have no idea what we are talking about
  • 12. < 25% of people understand there is complete scientific consensus 12 People don’t understand what we are talking about What causes climate change? only 28% think renewables have become less expensive Source: California data, Civis Analytics US Study, filtered for CA, n = 509
  • 13. Cost to enroll a citizen to demand a plan for climate action 13 Most communications use policy language that doesn’t connect Just say no to: Decarbonization Net zero Anthropogenic GHG Methane Policy = Marketing / Sources: Potential Energy Digital Lab testing, 2020
  • 15. Learning #2: Humanity What we need are human stories
  • 16. Ad about moms thinking about their kids’ future 16 Messaging about people’s individual needs, identities, fears and hopes performs dramatically better Ad about the prosperity from solving climate change Example test: 9.5% lift in strong support for immediate climate action 1.5% lift in strong support for immediate climate action INNOVATION BOOM Sources: Potential Energy RCT research, 2021
  • 17. Learning #3: Accountability We’re not fighting climate change, we’re fighting polluters who cause it
  • 18. Holding polluters accountable remains the highest performing message across the globe Persuasion lift in “strong support for government action” Sources: Potential Energy Europe study, Nov 2020, n=7,004, Civis Analytics US study, n=7,915
  • 19. Learning #4: Urgency Irreversibility and the fear of loss motivate people
  • 20. Ad highlighting irreversible loss affecting the next generation 20 When people understand today’s actions cannot be undone, they become strong supporters INNOVATION BOOM 8.2% lift in strong support for immediate climate action Sources: Potential Energy RCT research, 2021
  • 22. Three critical facts about the Californian citizen and climate 1. People are making the connection between climate change and fires and droughts 1. The impacts of climate are more motivating than concerns about the grid 1. Citizens think California is not doing nearly enough to fight climate change ● 90% of people see them as connected or highly connected ● What are you most worried about? Wildfires: 35% Drought: 30% Reliability of grid: 8% ● 60% say CA is doing minimal or nothing ● Only 6% say CA is doing more than enough Source: Potential Energy research, July 2021, n=3600