At the Transition Chichester Climate Change Group meeting on December 17 2025, the group was introduced to an AI tool called Claude: https://claude.ai/
The group was advised to ask Claude to create a prompt. The following query was developed and presented to Claude:
| we are a group called transition chichester part of transition town movement to promote much wider community understanding of climate change our aim is to be locally relevant and attract more people to be motivated to participate in projects to meet our objective to adapt and be resilient to climate breakdown. create a prompt to help us achieve these objectives. use only trusted sources and assumptions and any risks in your recommendations |
Claude generated the following response:
I’ve created a comprehensive strategic communication framework for Transition Chichester based on trusted, peer-reviewed research and best practices from successful climate communication initiatives worldwide. Here are the key highlights:
Evidence-Based Foundation
The framework draws on recent research showing that effective climate communication requires storytelling, local relevance, solutions focus, and trusted messengers Inspiring Climate Action Through Communications: Insights from the 2024 Climate & Sustainability Communications Cohort | ICLEI USA +2. Studies demonstrate that locally tailored communication strategies significantly increase climate change awareness and community participation ResearchGate.
Chichester-Specific Context
I’ve incorporated Chichester’s unique vulnerabilities:
- Flooding risks in the Manhood Peninsula and surrounding areas
- Coastal threats to Chichester Harbour, Pagham Harbour, and Selsey
- Impacts on local agriculture and food security
- Wildlife corridor protection between harbours and South Downs
10 Core Communication Principles
The framework provides actionable strategies for:
- Leading with solutions rather than doom
- Making messages locally relevant
- Using human stories over data alone
- Leveraging trusted local voices
- Emphasizing shared values across political divides
- Providing clear action steps at multiple engagement levels
- Building community connection
- Tailoring messages to different audiences
- Addressing climate anxiety constructively
- Using multiple communication channels
Risk Mitigation
I’ve identified six critical risks and specific strategies to address them:
- Message fatigue
- Echo chamber effects
- Economic conflicts
- Political polarization
- Competition with other priorities
- Volunteer burnout
Implementation Roadmap
The framework includes a phased 12-month implementation plan with clear objectives, actions, and success metrics for each phase.
Key Assumption: This framework assumes Transition Chichester has volunteer capacity and can develop partnerships with local organizations. Success will require sustained commitment and adaptation based on community response.
Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspect or create additional materials to support implementation?
Claude also created this document: Strategic Communication Framework for Transition Chichester (PDF) (DOCX)
The group was then advised to paste this document back to Claude, and this was generated by Claude:
Thank you for confirming the document. Now that I can see your comprehensive framework, I’d like to suggest some additional practical tools and next steps to help you implement this strategy effectively:
Immediate Next Steps to Consider:
1. Quick Wins for Early Momentum
- Create a simple one-page “Why Chichester Needs You” flyer combining local flood photos with 3 easy action steps
- Schedule a “Framework Launch” event where you present this strategy to current members and invite feedback
- Identify 3-5 “early adopter” community groups who might pilot your approach
2. Build Your Storytelling Infrastructure
Would you like me to create:
- A template for collecting “Chichester Climate Heroes” stories?
- Social media post templates with local hooks?
- A simple survey to gauge current community awareness and concerns?
- An “elevator pitch” bank with different versions for different audiences?
3. Partnership Outreach Kit
I could develop:
- Email templates for reaching out to parish councils, schools, and businesses
- A one-page “partnership proposal” document
- Talking points for initial meetings with CDC and other strategic partners
4. Visual Communication Assets
Would it help to create:
- Infographic concepts showing Chichester’s specific climate risks?
- A visual “engagement ladder” showing the three levels of participation?
- Templates for event flyers using your solutions-focused messaging?
5. Measurement Tools
I can help design:
- A simple baseline community survey
- Event feedback forms
- Quarterly tracking spreadsheet for your KPIs
- A “story collection” protocol for documenting successes
Questions to Refine Implementation:
- Capacity: How many active volunteers do you currently have, and what are their skills/interests?
- Resources: What’s your current budget situation? This affects whether you focus on low-cost/high-impact activities first.
- Timeline: When would you ideally want to launch Phase 1? This helps prioritize which tools to develop first.
- Existing Assets: What communication channels do you already have (website, social media, newsletter, relationships with local media)?
- Priority Audiences: Which of the audience segments (young families, retirees, farmers, businesses, faith communities) feels most strategic to reach first?
Which of these support tools would be most valuable to you right now? I’m happy to create practical, ready-to-use resources that bring this framework to life.
The investigation using Claude stopped here, but the results are published here so that it can be developed further!