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Thread: Met Éireann guidelines for staff on what to say if asked about climate change in the media. If queried about extreme weather events, it is "scientifically correct" to say there is an increased risk of such events due to human activities: 
It's still not possible to blame climate change for single unusual weather events. The debate instead should be framed that these types of events have a "greater probability" of occurring:
Guidelines were adapted from World Meteorological Organization newsletter giving tools for "more effective communication" of climate science and the links to extreme weather events:
"Lead with what is known." Be careful of using "caveats" and "uncertainties". An example of what you could say would be: "Global warming made this heatwave at least four times more likely to occur."
Communicate clearly and use metaphors. Suggested metaphors include saying things like we are now "experiencing the weather on steroids". Similarly, they could say global warming was "stacking the deck" in favour of more extreme weather events:
Reframe poorly worded questions. Scientists are often asked did climate change cause XX event. There is no "simple yes or no answer" so talk about probabilities and how such things were very unlikely to have occurred in the absence of human-caused climate change:
Be careful of using certain phrases which have one meaning for scientists but might mean something entirely different to the general public. The two key examples of this are "uncertainty" and "low confidence".
And lastly, try to avoid the language of "despair". This could lead the public to believe nothing can be done and "hence inaction". Rather than talking about the inevitability of extreme weather events, highlight that people can still make a difference:
Document obtained via @RightToKnowIE as usual. We welcome your support at righttoknow.ie
This got lots of coverage in the media today so for a good overall read on it, try this piece in @thejournal_ie at: thejournal.ie/met-eireann-st…
