Changing the Narrative on Technology and Climate Communication
Conversations with Our Changemaker of the Month, Rebranding the Climate Issue, and More Events
Welcome back to Changemakers, the official newsletter of Brighter Future.
We’re thrilled to have you here as part of the Brighter Future community, where together, we inspire progress and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
This week, we’re exploring the idea of changing the narrative, with our changemaker of the month and through the lens of the climate conversation. We are also offering an update on our latest storytelling series that focuses on crafting a vision story.
We’d love to hear your feedback on the content of these newsletters. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, send a message to mission@brighterfuture.studio.
Check out this week’s topics…
Changemaker of the Month: Creating a Community Dedicated to a Better Future with Harald Neidhardt of Future/Io
Every month, we will be recognising our Changemaker of the Month, a member of the impact and climate communities who is working to make a difference in the world. We’ll share their stories, insights from their experiences, and highlight their work. If you’d like to nominate someone as the Changemaker of the Month, please contact keegan@brighterfuture.studio.
We're continuing our Changemaker of the Month series with someone whose vision is as bold as it is essential to the future of our planet: Harald Neidhardt.
Harald Neidhardt is the co-founder and CEO of Futur/io, an organisation dedicated to bringing together leaders in sustainable innovation and business. Drawing from a background in tech entrepreneurship and innovation, Harald created the organisation to accelerate bold ideas rooted in human progress and a sustainable future for our planet.
On Why He Founded the Organisation - Harald saw Futur/io as a way to address an urgent need to shift innovation culture away from short-term gains and towards fostering long-term positive impacts for the planet. “We believe everybody at their workplace or whatever role they play in a company must do something. That's our idea, and our mission is to support and bring this kind of sustainability understanding, then attack it with innovation in this positive mindset.”
On Creative Thinking in Sustainability - Harald believes that true innovation doesn't just come from technology like AI—it comes from rethinking business models and embracing human-centred change. “If you fall in love with a problem, you find the right technology,” he shares. “What people sometimes don't consider is change can come from other places such as different business models or unique human factors.”
On Collaboration in the Industry - What fulfils Harald most is sparking personal connections that help people realise they’re not alone. “We can build bonds if we can relate to others in similar organisations with similar challenges. For example, if you are in the food industry then you can talk to somebody from an airline because they have similar problems; Together, you can explore different ideas and a diverse approach to your shared issues.”
On Lessons from the Tech World - Having spent years as an entrepreneur at the forefront of mobile and digital innovation, Harald believes in the power of tech optimism for sustainable action. “There's so much innovation and force of power to come. Imagine if we only use this power for real challenges, like sustainability and not for five-minute faster pizza delivery. That's our whole mission. How do we bring people's talent, innovation, and passion into real-world challenges and not just convenience.”
On Optimism as a Strategic Tool - Despite the scale of the climate crisis, Harald remains a firm believer in the idea of courageous optimism—taking the risk to believe in a brighter future. “I think the most significant 'Aha' moments are when you have a theory and just go for it, and it works out. You can trust your gut. Nobody can tell you about the future.”
Some Lasting Words - “We are not only consumers; we are citizens. We are self-organising organisms. We can organise, think about things, invent our future, and invent our world. There's so much beauty outside, and there are ways to overcome our challenges.
So, get out of the cocoon; if you feel that you cannot move—well, you have to get out and try to make the next version of yourself, and hopefully, it's a butterfly.”
💡 Learn more about Harald and explore Future/Io at their website. To read the full origin story interview, check out the link below.
Changing the Narrative: Lessons to Take from the Ultimate Rebrand of the Climate Conversation
One of the most significant shifts in climate communication happened quietly, through the deliberate move away from the term “global warming”.
This was more than a semantic change; it was a strategic repositioning that transformed how climate challenges were perceived and discussed around the world.
“Global warming”, a phrase that had become polarised through the politicisation of the issue, evoked images of catastrophe and confusion. This alarmist term invited scepticism each time temperatures dropped in Los Angeles or snow fell in London, undermining public understanding of the issue and slowing momentum for progress.
By contrast, the introduction of “climate change” provided a broader, more accurate, and ultimately more human framing of the issue. It opened the door to nuanced dialogue that was accessible to a diversity of audiences. This new name acknowledged variability, impact, and consequence, while allowing the climate community to engage people in ways that resonated with their lived experiences.
This transition marked a turning point in climate action. It was more than just a communications tactic, it changed the definition of the climate narrative. Instead of alarmist and doomsday strategies, this new term brought clarity to complexity and offered policymakers, campaigners, and communities language that informed, connected, and inspired the masses.
As communicators within a high-stakes, increasingly saturated climate space, we can look to this example as a testament to the idea that facts alone are not enough. For a message to matter, it must land. It must connect. It must move people.
That’s why brand strategy in the climate sector is about connecting with people. The most resonant narratives are those that translate complexity into clarity, and urgency into agency, without excluding the audience. They move beyond technicalities or alarmist mentalities and instead offer flexibility, hope, and possibility.
The reframing from “global warming” to “climate change” underscores the power of narrative strategy to shift public perception and drive meaningful engagement. It’s a reminder that the right words can open doors to understanding, to empathy, and to positive action.
Learn more below about the lessons we can take from the early mistakes of climate action, and the ways we can use branding and strategy to protect our planet.
March Events: Continuing the Storytelling Sessions Series
The Vision Story Session
The final storytelling session focusing on the Vision Story will be held on April 23rd from 6:00 to 7:30 PM GMT. During this session, we will be focusing on defining your startup's long-term goals and aspirations with a compelling vision story.
Facilitated by Brighter Future founder Aaron Leaman, he’ll provide some insights from his years of working with early-stage startups to secure millions in funding.
Make sure to sign up for the session with the link below. If you can’t make it live, make sure to still sign up because all sessions will be recorded and shared with participants afterward.
If you are looking to learn a little bit more about the purpose of the vision story before signing up for the workshop, check out the insights post below.
Thanks for joining us for this week’s edition. We will be back with another edition of Changemakers soon.
Sincerely,
The Brighter Future Team
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