Why hasn’t all the science, data, and urgency translated into faster climate action?

Tom Clark sits down with Dina Cappiello, former Chief Communications Officer at RMI and explores why communication itself is what’s blocking faster climate action. 

Drawing on a career spanning journalism, PR, and the NGO world, Dina argues that facts alone don’t move people - stories do.

In this episode learn about:

• Translating dense research into human language and making “boring” topics like energy efficiency compelling
• What actually drives engagement and action
• The tension between accuracy and accessibility
• Why climate communicators must focus on relatability, emotion, and attention.

Listen to a powerful case study: how a story about the Empire State Building helped make energy efficiency inspiring.

If you’re trying to change minds - or the world - this conversation is essential listening.

Recommended film: Microcosmos (1996)

Follow Dina Cappiello at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-cappiello-1937268/

Additional notes: 

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) - https://rmi.org/

Canary Media - https://www.canarymedia.com/

Climate Now - https://www.climatenow.com/

The Daily https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily 

Microcosmos - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosmos_(film) 

Climate Colored Goggles - https://substack.com/@climatecoloredgoggles

Katherine Hayhoe - https://www.katharinehayhoe.com/ 

Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC) - https://gsccnetwork.org/ 

Released: 31/3/26

Run time: 55m

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Youtube