Make deforestation newsworthy.
That’s a core principle behind much of the work we do at Mongabay. We’re not as eye-catching as a Greenpeace protest, like that pictured above, but we persistently report on it.
I highlighted this as one of our key strategies during a talk on Friday at the 31st Annual Conference of the Yale Chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF), which was hosted at the Yale School of the Environment.
My talk covered 5 main themes, including the role of science communication in tropical forest governance.
One of the biggest gaps in forest governance is communication. Policy change is nearly impossible if the right information doesn’t reach the right people at the right time. And let’s be honest—many of the conversations happening in expert circles aren’t resonating with the decision-makers and communities who matter most.
Good communication isn’t a footnote in conservation. It’s fundamental to progress.
Here are 7 ways science communication can strengthen forest governance:
Raise awareness & drive engagement
↳ Well-communicated science makes deforestation, degradation, and ecosystem services more accessible.
Example: Forests don’t just store carbon—they regulate the water cycle. Water security is tangible to people in ways CO₂ isn’t. Making that connection can shift priorities.
Broaden the constituency for forests
↳ Messaging tailored to local contexts builds public demand for better governance.
Example: Environmental crises are becoming personal for more people. When science is clear and credible, it expands the base of those who care.
Shape policy & promote transparency
↳ Translating scientific data into actionable insights helps leaders make informed decisions.
Example: Satellite imagery in the Amazon helped drive policies that contributed to a sharp drop in deforestation in Brazil.
Foster cross-sector collaboration
↳ Effective communication aligns scientists, policymakers, businesses, and NGOs toward shared goals.
Example: Emerging research links biodiversity loss to reduced carbon storage in forests—bringing two historically separate fields together.
Build trust & navigate complexities
↳ Accessible, transparent communication increases public buy-in for science-based policies.
Example: People are more likely to support solutions when they understand the science behind them.
Facilitate behavioral change
↳ Science can influence consumer and corporate decisions by showing the real-world impact of unsustainable practices.
Example: Data on deforestation for palm oil fueled campaigns that led to corporate zero-deforestation commitments—and a significant decline in forest clearing for the crop in Indonesia 🇮🇩.
Inspire new ideas & innovation
↳ Stories of success empower people. Solutions can give them something to act on.
Example: “Bad news drains me. Solutions make me feel like I can do something.” This shift in framing fuels creativity and action.
The takeaway? If we want better forest governance, we need better science communication.