Virtual event
Lessons from Speechwriters on How to Talk About Climate
Part of the Government Climate Campus
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025
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Speakers
What to Do Next
- Catch up via the 6-minute highlights video above, or dive into the full recording
- Learn how to work through big changes, in our upcoming event, How to Navigate Transition in Politics & Policy
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Event Description
Words have the power to change mindsets and motivate action on addressing global challenges. Moving the dial on one of the most complex issues — the climate crisis — requires original and inspiring communication.
Public servants are pivotal in shaping the climate conversation, translating complex science into messages that mobilise citizens and policymakers alike. We assembled a panel of exemplary speechwriters to share proven techniques for crafting impactful narratives that drive understanding and action on climate issues.
Watch this discussion to sharpen your communication skills, learn from experienced professionals, and gain practical insights to elevate your climate messaging.
Image credit: Pexels
Speakers
Brent Kerrigan
Former Speechwriter, UN Climate Change
Switzerland
Gabrielle Cesvet
Former Head Speechwriter, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Canada
Kevin Samy
Former Head Speechwriter, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Former Speechwriter to the Secretary of Defense, United States Department of Defense (The Pentagon)
US
Brent Kerrigan, current Owner of Global Speechwriter, discovered early in his employment by the Government of Canada that ministers don't write their own speeches, so he decided to help. "I made a million mistakes. I swam in a sea of red ink. But I got better." In more than 10 years with the federal government, Brent was a speechwriter for the Department of Agriculture, the senior speechwriter for Transport Canada, and wrote for ministers, MPs, and, occasionally, speech content for two prime ministers. He left the government to launch Global Speechwriter and designed an online platform to train speechwriters throughout the world and he continued to write speeches for CEOs, ambassadors and others. In 2017, UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) hired Brent to write about climate change and he spent more than five years as their head speechwriter and the person who helped craft their narrative during a tumultuous stretch (think USA pulling out of the Paris Agreement, a pandemic and a last-minute country swap for COP25). He wrote approximately 200 speeches annually, equating to more than 1,000 speeches over a five-year stretch. But he says that "Numbers mean nothing. Quality matters. Reliability matters. Accuracy matters. Creativity matters."
Gabrielle Cesvet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Head of Speechwriting, wrote speeches in English and in French for more than four years, worked two federal election campaigns and led Prime Minister Trudeau's speechwriting team during his second mandate. Since then, she has worked in Communications at Meta and now serves as the Strategic Readiness Lead at TikTok.
Kevin Samy, Kevin Samy is a climate change and energy security policy expert. He served as an advisor and speechwriter in various capacities within the Obama Administration, including the White House, US EPA, Department of Energy, and Pentagon. Recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30 recipient in 2016, he now advises CEOs and climate tech founders, helping them forge stronger connections with public policy stakeholders.
