The Open Call for “Co-creating Communication on Planetary Health Related to Food and Food Systems” aimed to explore the intricate relationship between food, climate change, environmental protection, and human health through collaborative efforts. Targeting a diverse audience, including researchers and science communication practitioners, the call invited contributions that would enhance understanding of these interconnected issues through creating their own science communication formats.
The project groups explored key questions addressing food systems and their impact on planetary health, fostering innovative science communication. The selected projects received financial support, emphasizing collaboration and a theory-based approach. We learned valuable lessons from these projects that informed our own research on constructive and impactful science communication about planetary health. Additionally, we gained important insights in the area of evaluation, particularly regarding the conceptual phase, data collection and analysis, and the reporting of evaluation results.
The following sections will introduce the impactful experiments resulting from this call, highlighting the autonomy of project groups in implementing, evaluating, and reporting their findings, with minor editorial intervention from MSCL.
Click here for the Extended Abstracts (pdf)
A Podcast about Food Sustainability
This project produced ten podcast episodes about food sustainability, broadcast on Portuguese National Public Radio and available online. The episodes aimed to increase public knowledge and interest in sustainable food practices by featuring interviews with researchers.
Positive and negative documentary film framing
This project tested whether positive or negative framing in documentaries could influence attitudes and motivations to reduce food waste. It targeted employees from non-sustainability sectors, using a workshop with rescued food, documentary screenings, and discussions to promote sustainable behaviors.
Using the influence of social media to change narratives
This project used Instagram influencers to promote Planetary Health Nutrition, encouraging sustainable eating habits. Seven influencers from various fields created content to raise awareness. The impact was evaluated through follower engagement and influencer feedback.
Thinking with Fermentation for Planetary Health
The exhibition “Culturing the Change: Fermentation for Planetary Health” at the Deutsches Museum highlighted fermentation’s role in reducing food waste and preserving biodiversity. It engaged a diverse audience, including the Turkish community in Munich, through interactive displays and tastings.
The Earth under the Microscope
This science communication experiment aimed to raise awareness of food security and the agricultural crisis amid climate change through a pop-up exhibition. Featuring 23 panels, videos, and an Earth observation microscope, it engaged families and adults in various venues.
Pedagogical City Walk Tour
This project used an app-guided City Walk to teach students about food systems and planetary health through interactive, outdoor learning. Three classrooms participated, with the goal of raising awareness and fostering critical thinking about sustainable food practices.
Fruit City
This experiment explored meadow orchards as a sustainable urban initiative to raise awareness about biodiversity and food systems. Events at the Botanical Garden and Biotopia Lab engaged urban adults and families through hands-on workshops, covering topics like soil health, pollination, and apple variety preservation.
For more Information please contact Monica Déchène