Navigating Net Zero: Kalee Kreider on Climate Communications (and How to Fix Them)

Let’s be honest—climate messaging isn’t landing the way it needs to.

In this episode, Alexia Kelly is joined by Kalee Kreider, one of the world’s leading climate communicators, to talk about why… and what we can do about it.

From working with Al Gore on An Inconvenient Truth to advising global organizations, Kalee has spent decades figuring out what actually connects with people—and what completely misses the mark.

They dive into:
  • Why your climate message probably isn’t reaching the people you think it is
  • The danger of “smart-sounding” language (and how to simplify without dumbing down)
  • How methane went from overlooked to a “climate moment”
  • Why people need hope + solutions—not just data
  • The surprising real reason An Inconvenient Truth resonated
  • How TikTok, LinkedIn, and AI are changing the game
  • Why even experts need communication training
Plus, Kalee shares her top 3 tips for becoming a better climate communicator—no matter your role.

If you work in or are passionate about climate, this episode is a must-listen.

Creators and Guests

Alexia Kelly
Host
Alexia Kelly
Alexia Kelly has worked for more than 18 years at the intersection of policy and finance to address the climate crisis. Alexia is the Managing Director of the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative (CPMI) at High Tide Foundation. The CPMI accelerates ambitious climate action and capital mobilization through robust rules and guidance for voluntary corporate action and disclosures, and building the next generation of high-integrity carbon and environmental services markets. She currently serves on the Board of the Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (IC VCM) and the Board of the Advanced and Indirect Mitigation Initiative, as well as on the Expert Advisory Group of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI). Prior to joining High Tide Foundation, she served as Director of Net Zero + Nature at Netflix, where she led the company’s inaugural greenhouse gas inventory, renewable energy strategy, Science Based Target and global carbon credit portfolio. Previously, she worked at the U.S. Department of State, where she served as lead negotiator to the UNFCCC on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. She has also held senior roles at the World Resources Institute, The David and Lucille Packard Foundation, The Climate Trust, and in private equity.
Kalee Kreider
Guest
Kalee Kreider
Kalee Kreider advises major corporate, philanthropic and non-profit clients on issues of sustainability, climate change, and technology. She has advised some of the world’s most innovative thinkers, innovators and companies including Paul G. Allen, Christiana Figueres, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Postcode Lotteries Group, the United Nations Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundations, the Bezos Earth Fund and others. In addition to her work as a consultant, Kalee has served as Chief Media and Public Affairs Officer for the National Geographic Society overseeing brand, marketing, communications, impact media, public events and the Museum. She worked for many years as environmental adviser and communications director for Vice President Al Gore. Early in her career, she ran the Washington Office of Fenton Communications, directed programs for several non-governmental organizations, and began her time in Washington, D.C., as a Truman Scholar working for the federal government.
Matt Jordan
Producer
Matt Jordan
Matt Jordan is a Director within the High Tide Foundation’s Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative (CPMI). Matt has been working in climate action for more than 15 years, and has a long track record of envisioning, developing and scaling innovative programs and financing tools that deliver lasting global impact. Matt built CLASP’s Clean Energy Access program from a single small project to an integrated portfolio of technical, research, and market stimulation programs with a coherent, issue-defining theory of change and a global team of more than 20. He co-founded Propel Clean Energy Partners, a consulting firm with clients such as the World Resources Institute, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Asian Development Bank. Following their acquisition of Propel’s work and team, Matt served as a Director in RMI’s Global South portfolio and led their global clean energy workforce development initiative. He holds a BA in Philosophy from Colgate University, a Master’s in Public Policy Analysis from the University of California, and a Professional Certificate in Financing and Deploying Clean Energy from Yale University.
Navigating Net Zero: Kalee Kreider on Climate Communications (and How to Fix Them)
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