“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity – not a threat,” said Thomas Edison.

Environmental science issues, such as climate change, sustainability and biodiversity often project a nightmarish vision of the future. Yet audience research suggests museum visitors respond better to more positive, hopeful messages. This reverse session will explore, through a dynamic discussion with participants, how to communicate sensitive environment science issues in museums and science centres.

Drawing on experience from across Europe and across different target audiences, the speakers will very briefly present their innovative responses to communicating environmental science and how best to envisage the future for visitors – do we sell them a dream or scare them with a nightmare? The longer discussion that will follow will allow participants to share experiences, contribute ideas or ask for a more in-depth discussion on specific points.

-Should museums and science centres create dreams or nightmares to engage visitors with the future of the environment? Is it possible to be engaging and realistic? Could science and knowledge offer another path, neither dream nor nightmare? -What issues about climate change and sustainability really engage YOUR visitors? -How can we develop innovative ways to communicate the complexity of environmental science issues? -How can we take into account the personal values and political choices of the visitors? -Is there a “one size fits all” approach?