The changing climate is bringing dramatic change to the seed industry on multiple fronts, from agronomy and production to research and innovation, to policy and regulation. It’s also bringing about major political discussion. In our currently polarized political reality, how can the seed industry best navigate its messaging — both within the industry and externally to consumers and the general public —about our response to a changing climate?
On this week’s edition of Seed Speaks, we welcome Dr. Scott Denning, a climate scientist and professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University. In addition to his research and university teaching roles, Dr. Denning regularly presents to diverse public audiences on the topic of climate change. (His presentation is worth the watch — check it out here. Denning’s key message – that climate change is simple, serious and, yes, entirely solvable – makes complex science accessible and prioritizes hope.
“I find that most people are actually much more afraid of climate change than I am,” he says.
During the Seed Speaks episode, we’ll dig into tough questions:
- How might the seed industry best respond when the general public criticizes agriculture for its perceived role in climate change? (Spoiler alert: Dr. Denning says any finger pointing at the seed industry is misguided and unreasonable).
- How do we as the seed industry counteract the fatigue and overwhelm that many inside the industry may feel on the topic of climate change?
- What might the seed industry learn about tackling complex political discussions from Dr. Denning’s success in talking about climate change with groups that have entirely opposing perspective?
Join us on November 8 at 12 p.m. CDT on Seed World U.S., Seed World Canada, Seed World Europe and the Alberta Seed Guide’s Facebook pages, Seed World U.S.’s LinkedIn page and Seed World Group’s YouTube to watch the discussion.
