Place-based Climate Change Communication and Engagement in Canada’s Provincial North: Lessons Learned from Climate Champions

Abstract

This paper explores how climate change communication is understood and enacted in Canada’s Provincial North (CPN), with a focus on the role that local climate champions play in regions characterized by rurality, remoteness, and a high degree of reliance on natural resource industries. Drawing from 24 in-depth interviews with individuals increasing local attention to climate in Northern British Columbia and Ontario, this research identifies communication challenges and opportunities arising in these contexts. Existing literature inadequately addresses the challenges of advancing climate change initiatives in rural and remote communities. Confirming and extending existing research on place-based communication, CPN climate champions underscored that messages must be place-based, community-informed, reflect local realities, and address the role of industry in regional economies. This paper offers an important set of insights that is relevant to climate change communication in other rural and remote settings in high-income countries.