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Communications medley: consumption v. population and choosing words
In this week’s round up: group consensus and you,…
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Communication medley: lessons from Lady Gaga
In this week's round up: complicated polling on climate opinions, the so-called 'climate pause' is actually a success story, lessons for communicators from Lady Gaga, indigenous leaders abandon faith in the UN, PLUS - can museums advance action AND enhance experience? If you’re a science communicator or educator at an informal science center (such as a zoo, aquarium, or museum) trying to encourage conservation action – this is the round up for you! Every week we break down the most interesting recent news and best resources to help you frame the issues as effectively as possible. Some of these resources will be practical communications and framing tips, and others are great starting points for brainstorming future strategies. Jump to... US opinion on climate is complicated We can advocate and facilitate at museums Making change - personally and politically Good news on US opinion - sort of A few new polls were released this week that show just how complex the state of climate opinion is in the US. A study by Stanford University social psychologist Jon Krosnick found 75% of Americans acknowledge the existence of climate change and at least two-thirds of the population believes greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. businesses should be regulated. Even in Republican majority states! However a Pew survey shows that, comparatively, the US lags behind the rest of the world in our approach to climate. Some numbers from that survey: 67% of Americans believe there is solid evidence of global warming 44% of them blame it on human activity a median of 54% or more of publics in Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa saw global warming as a major threat to their countries The only region in the spring survey where public concern about climate change as a danger was as low as in the U.S. was the Middle East (42%) Facilitator or advocate? BOTH! Center for the Future of Museums: Choosing Roles: Can we advance action AND enhance experience? "Would you rather be loved, or would you rather save the world?" Douglas Myer says "no need to choose!" Our communications research shows that not only do informal science center visitors want information on how they can help the environment, they expect and appreciate it. What Can Climate Scientists Learn from Lady Gaga? Sightline gives the short and sweet version of Joe Romm's handbook for communicators. The book is about rhetoric, and I highly recommend it for those who write on the web. Lots of good, age-old but evergreen tips on sticky messages. More thoughts A mixed bag of interesting reading. Look What's Slowing Down Global Warming This cool story is an antidote for that helpless feeling that can come from thinking about the vast challenge of climate change. Remember that global warming "hiatus" that had people abuzz recently? Turns out it was probably because 40 countries signed the Montreal Protocol back in 1988 - agreeing to phase out ozone killing gases like chlorofluorocarbons. CFCs also trap heat in the atmosphere, so getting rid of them resulted in a little less warming than there would have been otherwise. Worlds apart: Indigenous leaders abandon faith in UN to find climate solution I really enjoyed reading this story about indigenous leaders who are fed up with UN climate talks. They have an interesting message of personal action and responsibility that I think will resonate with a lot of people.
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Communications medley: Audience insights from a proliferation of polls
In this week’s round up: masses of info about…
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Communications medley: the grandkids won’t be alright
In this week's round up: the grandkids won't be alright (if we have anything to say about it), making ocean connections, and a bit of good news. If you’re a science communicator or educator at an informal science center (such as a zoo, aquarium, or museum) trying to encourage conservation action – this is the round up for you! Every week we break down the most interesting recent news and best resources to help you frame the issues as effectively as possible. Some of these resources will be practical communications and framing tips, and others are great starting points for brainstorming future strategies. Sorry grandkids, we don't care! A new study has come out that spawned a variety of eye-catching headlines. "Delayed gratification hurts climate change cooperation!" "People don't put a high value on climate protection!" And my favorite "Why We Don’t Care About Saving Our Grandchildren From Climate Change." These are all articles worth reading. The short version is that American and German researchers conducted a "collective-risk group experiment," the results of which support something you may already suspect: groups of people are unlikely to sacrifice much themselves to benefit future generations. We need short-term incentives to act. Of course, assuming this study was done on WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) people... here's another argument for diversity in the environmental movement. Making connections Conservation and environmental actions can be hard to communicate; here are some stories that may help make the connection. Latinos Lead the Way in the Green Economy Speaking of diversity, here are some numbers: by 2050, 33% of American workers will be Latino. Almost 90% of Latinos polled "said they'd prefer to work in clean energy industries than fossil fuels." Warmer oceans put Northwest streams at risk Making the connection between ocean health and the local community can be a toughie for communicators who work inland. This article describes how warmer oceans affect animal life in rivers; a local story like this can provide an opportunity to talk about animals, local habitats, and actions people can take to help turn things around. More Americans die from car pollution than car accidents This is a bit morbid but definitely a "sticky" message. In the US, pollution from cars kills more people than traffic accidents. Which do we fear more? And finally... some good news CHARTS: US Carbon Emissions Are Dropping US carbon emissions from energy use dropped almost 4% between 2011 - 2012! Not only that, but the GDP grew during this time. Reducing energy consumption doesn't mean the economy will suffer. What's more? HALF of the cuts came from reductions in household energy use!
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One With Nature: Empowering Teens Through Environmentalism
Many of Chicago’s middle and high school students spent their Columbus Day holiday resting, sleeping or watching TV. However, a group of 12 students from across the Chicago area could be found in the Shedd Aquarium’s new Teen Lab—the site for this month’s One With Nature meeting—discussing climate change, environmentalism and what they can do to make a difference in an urban setting. As a senior at Northwestern University, and a new member of the YouthMuse team, I was thrilled to be able to participate in the October OWN meeting. Through this experience, I learned a lot about the passion and drive of this community of environmentally-conscious Chicago teens. Teenagers in the OWN campaign are not just participants but creators. The teens decide what they want to do, how they want to do it and who they want to be as a community of socially conscious young adults. The students craft all aspects of the campaign, down to the “One With Nature” name and branding. Because of their passion, drive and curiosity, as well as the support of Chicago cultural organizations such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden and Shedd Aquarium, OWN campaign teens are focused on making real change. Past projects include coastal cleanups, meeting with other teens at city-wide events like the Chicago River Congress, teaching teens to upcycle used clothing and generating OWN’s social media campaigns. The same model of teen-led environmental campaigns has sprouted across the country with varying degrees of success; most notable is Puget Sound: We Love You at the Seattle Aquarium. The true beauty of these campaigns lies in the agency given to middle and high school students to create projects that are geared at real change in the community. Students are given mentoring, resources, tools and a platform for their campaigns. One With Nature meets at Lincoln Park Zoo or in the Shedd Aquarium Teen Lab. Adults in the campaign are not leaders but facilitators of the choices, visions and goals designed by the students. In the safety of this space, Chicago’s community of students is empowered. They are able to watch projects they design and implement come to fruition. They are able to interact with professionals who treat them as future leaders. They are able to push their limits, explore their interests and solidify their visions for the future. According to a 2011 Gallup poll, 77% of U.S. students in grades 5-12 want to be their own boss, 45% plan to start their own business and 42% aim to invent something that changes the world. Through teen-led efforts like One With Nature, zoos, aquariums, and museums give Millennials a place to start charging their power to change their world.
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Communications medley: the messenger makes the message meaningful
In this week's round up: the messenger makes the message meaningful, and Americans have energy highs and lows. If you’re a science communicator or educator at an informal science center (such as a zoo, aquarium, or museum) trying to encourage conservation action – this is the round up for you! Every week we break down the most interesting recent news and best resources to help you frame the issues as effectively as possible. Some of these resources will be practical communications and framing tips, and others are great starting points for brainstorming future strategies. Green, yes please! Environmentalism... no thanks. This article on perceptions of "activist" environmentalists emphasizes how important messengers like interpreters at zoos, aquariums, and museums are for encouraging green action. To sum it up: people are willing to change their behavior, but less if they suspect you're a 'stereotypical' environmentalist. As The Ocean Project's research has found, informal science centers are trusted sources of information about environmentally-friendly behavior for Americans. Furthermore, visitors actually want this information as part of a satisfying visit to a zoo, aquarium, or museum. So stay cool, friendly, and give visitors plenty of tips for how they can help the planet. They'll listen to you! Energy surge and slump Recent energy news in America has been a mixed bag - good and bad. Let's start with the bad so we can end on a positive note: U.S. stands out as among the least concerned about climate change Pew's new survey found 40% of Americans and 39% of Chinese (two of the biggest carbon polluters on Earth) say climate change is a major threat to their nation. For comparison, a median of 54% of people in the surveyed 39 countries identify climate change as a major threat, and in some countries like Greece and Korea over 80% of people are concerned. U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Down 11 Percent Since 2007 Despite that previous distressing bit of news, there are still good things happening. Since 2007 US emissions have fallen by 11%, the equivalent of taking 77 million cars off the road. Why? People are driving less, and cars are getting more efficient with gas. Also - emissions from burning coal have fallen 20% since 2005. Obtaining 25% Of Energy From Renewables Would Save Billions More wind and solar, even if it would only account for 25% of the electricity in the Western US, would save $7 billion and reduce carbon pollution by 34%. This study is one of the first to use real-world hourly emissions data from power plants in the Western US, with serious implications for economically minded folks.
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Seas the Day in September – Amplify Your Impact
The Seas the Day initiative encourages and empowers people to take ocean…
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Communications medley: climate change is… awkward?
In this week's round up: making the link between healthy ecosystems and 'green' actions, the basics on communicating climate and extreme weather, and audience insights. We're reorganizing our communications round ups to be more useful - please give us your feedback! If you’re a science communicator or educator at an informal science center (such as a zoo, aquarium, or museum) trying to encourage conservation action – this is the round up for you! Every week we break down the most interesting recent news and best resources to help you frame the issues as effectively as possible. Some of these resources will be practical communications and framing tips, and others are great starting points for brainstorming future strategies. Jump to... Green actions and wildlife Climate change is... awkward Boo! Behave! Audience updates Linking green actions with wildlife Animals are more than great entertainment - they're great motivation to live an environmentally-friendly lifestyle (check out CLiZEN and others for more on that). But, it's important to explicitly make the link between healthy animals, ecosystems, and the actions of humans. Here are a few articles that may help: Overfishing of sharks trashing coral reefs Actions can have unforeseen consequences. One study found that overfishing sharks off Australia's coast resulted in more mid-level predators, and fewer herbivores. One such herbivore, the parrotfish, is vital to a healthy coral reef. This is a great example of a story that gives an opportunity to educate about food chains, as well as make a point about the effects of human actions. Marine Protected Area Increased Fish and Didn’t Hurt Fishers: Study This win-win scenario is a winning storytelling opportunity. We want to make sure fish populations are healthy, but we don't want to hurt fishers who depend on catching wild stocks for their livelihood. The perfect solution is a marine protected area! If you are near an MPA or national marine sanctuary in the US, talking about this success is a great way to make the local link. So... climate... um... awkward. Talking about climate doesn't have to be an awkward situation if you go in prepared. Here are some tips and food for thought. Tip Sheet: Readying the Ground for Climate Conversations Some situations make it tougher to talk about climate than others, but you don't need to go in blind. This tip sheet from ClimateAccess gives great ideas for prepping a difficult environment for environmental discourse. The Basics: Climate and crazy weather With droughts, wildfires, and floods, everything is not coming up aces for weather in the US - and climate change may be one cause of the bad luck. This is a really complicated issue, where to even begin? With the basics, as this flashcard from Sightline breaks it down. Finding a Better Message on The Risks of Climate Change This interview with Dan Kahan is more food for thought than practical tips. Kahan studies the science of science communication, and argues that "It’s not the lack of scientific understanding that has led to conflict over climate change, but rather the need to adhere to the philosophy and values of one’s 'cultural' group." Well worth a read, as is his blog if you have time on your hands. Boo! Please behave! Can we scare people into changing their behavior for the better? We can sure try, and we have been for years in the public health sphere. But research shows it can be an iffy strategy, and there are four key ingredients that are vital to a "fear appeal" being successful. This overview has important lessons for climate and conservation communicators, particularly you need to sell the solution as well as the problem. Audience updates Have you ever said to yourself "My audience is so conservative, no way will they care about doing hippie dippy greeny environmental stuff!"? Maybe think again. Check out this ClimateAccess tip post about how to communicate with conservative-leaning outdoorsmen, and this study showing evangelicals are willing to take action on global warming.
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Insights and Updates from The Ocean Project: Summer 2013
The Ocean Project is pleased to present this latest update on our collaborative communications initiative for our zoo, aquarium and museum (ZAM) partners, and others in the wider ocean conservation community. In this issue we highlight the attention the initiative's research will be receiving at the annual AZA conference, progress with the green power pilot project, successful efforts surrounding this year's World Oceans Day, and an op-ed by Deb Kerr of YouthMuse. As always, we welcome your feedback! In this update: See you in Kansas City Obtaining & promoting green energy Looking back at World Oceans Day Op-ed: New model for teen engagement AZA Sessions to shine a spot light on effective communications Monday, September 9 4:00-5:00 PM in Room 2503B Making the "Ask" for Conservation Action - This open brainstorming session with representatives from zoos, aquariums, The Ocean Project and NOAA will focus on four ways in which institutions have asked, are asking or are planning to ask visitors to do something for conservation, based on how the research tells us that visitors want to help. Please come with examples and ideas to share, and, in return, we'll supply the refreshments! Tuesday, September 10 12:00-2:00 PM in the Exhibit Hall More Power to You: When Teens Make Decisions - Want to achieve your mission and meet your goals for conservation action? The research tells us that a good place to begin is with a focus on teenagers. With tools in their hands and your support at their backs, they will develop messages, build programs and get guests to commit to taking conservation action. And then they’ll post it online to multiply the effort. Come to this roundtable to learn from existing examples and share new ideas. Tuesday, September 10 12:00-2:00 PM in the Exhibit Hall World Oceans Day, an Ocean of Opportunities for Action – Special events at zoos and aquariums provide amazing opportunities for fun, learning, and action. Join World Oceans Day coordinator Alyssa Isakower and other zoo and aquarium staff at the World Oceans Day roundtable to share experiences and lessons learned from past events, and brainstorm for next year. Come to chat, express your institutions’ needs and preferences, share tips and tricks, and get excited for World Oceans Day 2014. Please be sure also to check the poster session, which will feature information on some of the above topics! And be sure to see the full schedule for many other excellent opportunities. New pilot program helps partners obtain and promote green energy Building upon our successful session at last year's annual meeting, The Ocean Project has been collaborating with the Green Power Partnership of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an initiative that aims to help accelerate our nation's shift to a clean-energy economy. Structured as a two-part pilot project, the initiative is focused on helping 12 zoos and aquariums in efforts to attain and promote renewable energy, creating an example others could follow. Phase one is well underway, with the pilot sites currently assessing which green power options make the most sense for them. With assistance from the initiative, they have been looking at three primary possibilities: on-site solar, utility programs, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). For on-site solar, many have explored the option of working with Melink, the preferred partner of AZA and the same company responsible for the solar array at the Cincinnati Zoo (see photo). With utility programs, an institution in essence asks that its utility purchase a percentage of its total power usage from renewable sources, something that has been proven to work well for sites such as the Indy Zoo, which is 100% green-powered. Additionally, relatively little-known RECs have proven to be one of the most cost effective options, as they essentially allow a site to purchase the "green" value separate from the power itself. (Click here for more information on RECs) Thanks to an emerging relationship with Greenlight Energy Group, the initiative will be able to offer partners excellent pricing. Phase two will build upon the above, helping the pilot site partners as they encourage their visitors to follow in their footsteps. "We know from the research that visitors want zoos and aquariums to suggest personal action steps, and signing up for a utility program or purchasing a REC is both meaningful and measurable as we can talk about that not only in terms of the number of people reached but the amount of carbon kept out of the atmosphere," explained Douglas Meyer, who is heading up the initiative for The Ocean Project. "And with RECs, we see an additional benefit as Greenlight Energy, for example, will be offering a 10% referral bonus back to the zoos and aquariums on any certificate purchased by a visitor, resources that can be used to support the institution's conservation and sustainability efforts." The Ocean Project also hopes to offer small grants that will help institutions develop and test different approaches. Why is The Ocean Project focusing on this initiative? Because cleaner energy means a cleaner, healthier, and more productive ocean. Furthermore, our national market and communications research clearly shows that Americans want to be seen as 'green' and are looking to ZAMs not only for information about the environmental issues we face, but also how they can become more personally involved in helping with the solutions. We're excited to be working with these pilot sites, and ready to fully leverage our growing partner network of nearly 2,000 ZAMs and other education and conservation organizations in all 50 States and 80 other countries that we've built over the last 12 years. If you'd like to know more, please don't hesitate to reach out to Douglas at dmeyer@TheOceanProject.org. Action and Celebration for World Oceans Day 2013 ZAMs, individuals, businesses, local governments, and more came together this June 8th to celebrate World Oceans Day with over 600 events around the globe. The variety of events and people celebrating was inspiring; the community really honored the theme of Together we have the power to protect the ocean. Check out the highlight blog to see just a few of these great events. Keeping with that theme, we were excited to see that many event organizers went beyond celebration and also incorporated conservation action into their event. Our ZAM partners – who held almost a third of the events - were especially bold this year, and many experimented with asking their guests to take conservation action. In our recent blog series Taking the Dive, we talked with staff at institutions such as Seattle Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, and others about how they approach talking with guests about doing something for the ocean. We look forward to continuing this exciting conversation at the AZA conference! Op-Ed: Engaging teens as leaders: Shared experiences and best practices By Deb Kerr, Executive Director of YouthMuse With insight from the ongoing communications research by The Ocean Project and support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , five organizations have worked with me to launch four teen-led and action-oriented outreach campaigns. What we've done together to date has led to the development of a set of best practices, the foundation of what we believe could be a new model for youth engagement. Our community of ZAMs traditionally have focused our teen programs on an education model, based on an assumption that, "If they knew more, they'd care more, and if they cared more, they'd do more." The new model, which at its core is an action model, builds instead on what the communications research tells us to be true: Teens may not yet be issue experts, but they are well aware, already care, they're ready to act, and they're seen by adults as society's "green" leaders." To date, four youth-led campaigns have been launched: P.S. (Puget Sound): We Love You at Seattle Aquarium Beach Reach at North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Project Ripple at New York Aquarium OWN: One With Nature a joint effort of Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden. In each instance, teens are excited by the idea of applying their existing skills, such as their technological savvy and their knowledge of social networks, in a way that has a positive impact on the environment and their community. With help from adults and peer mentors, we've seen them build 21st century skills, such as teamwork, persuasion skills, confidence, maturity and leadership, while gaining knowledge about the issues. Not all of the results are in yet, but we've already seen some best practices emerge. Essential above all else is the provision of a “safe space”—not just physically, but intellectually, psychologically and emotionally—where teens feel free to be geeky and value-driven, in a circle of peers and adults who share their passion. Adult mentors who model respect for and genuine interest in teens are essential to creating safe learning environments. Other tips include ensuring structured time to accomplish the work, meeting social interaction needs (fun), ongoing communications, helping with transportation (such as providing transit cards or stipends), and employing reward systems, which can be as simple as awarding service learning hours, online badges and peer recognition. These campaigns serve as living case studies for understanding what works and what doesn’t when engaging teens as leaders. With each teen interaction, I learn more, and I look forward to sharing those experiences with our community as these efforts continue. Editor's Note: Thanks Deb, and The Ocean Project will continue to work closely with our partners on engaging teens for conservation action, and, on that note, we soon hope to offer some additional small grant opportunities - Stay tuned!
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