The Copenhagen conference came and went, and the consensus amongst civil society leaders working on climate change is that there is whole lot to be done, and it needs to happen soon. However, the mixed reactions to the Copenhagen Accord, ranging from very disappointed to cautiously optimistic, and concerns about the prospects of comprehensive climate and energy legislation in the U.S., has prompted advocates to begin reconsidering the question: Are we talking about climate change in an effective way? To help get us closer to an answer, we have compiled a list of recent messaging guidance from some of the most well-respected communications gurus in the field. We'd love your thoughts about the messaging advice presented in these guides: is it working for you? Do you have concerns about any of the advice?

• The Language of the Clean Energy Economy (2010): Legendary Republican pollster Frank Luntz, along with the Environmental Defense Fund and NRG Energy, recently unveiled a report detailing clear agreement on climate and energy legislation between Obama and McCain voters, and among the general public. The report finds that "national security" is the top reason cited by respondents for enacting comprehensive climate policy (beating out economic and environmental arguments), and that there is broad, bi-partisan agreement on holding polluters "accountable."
• Climate Change: A New Threat to National Security (2009): This concise backgrounder, from Frankie Sturm at the Truman National Security Project, breaks down the key arguments and messages to be made about the national security implications of climate change. Especially salient in light of Frank Luntz's recent report (above).
• Keep in mind, however, that previous research indicates that focusing on foreign or Middle East oil as the problem may lead people to support domestic drilling and technologies like nuclear power and "clean coal." See Talking About Global Climate Change: Dos and Donts (2009) for advice on tackling this issue. This guide was produced by U.S. in the World Initiative (USITW), in cooperation the Partnership Project, Green Group, and the Topos Partnership, and serves as the perfect, short cheat sheet for cramming before that television or radio interview.
• Climate Crossroads (2009): A report from the Social Capital Project and the Topos Partnership. This comprehensive guide focuses on how to mobilize those audiences that are already sympathetic to climate solutions, but have not quite been compelled to action.
• Public Opinion On Climate Change (2009): The Sightline Institute issued a memorandum in June of last year, which takes into account a number of polls conducted by the Mellman Group, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, NWF, and NBC/Wall Street Journal. The memo highlights economic opportunity arguments as salient, and suggests that doom and gloom messages can backfire.
• Communicating Climate Change: Why Frames Matter for Public Engagement (2009): Matthew Nisbet takes a look at the history of climate change "framing" and messaging in an article for Environment Magazine, and suggests that the "economic opportunity" angle may show the most promise.
• The Psychology of Climate Change Communication (2009): The Center for Research on Environmental Decisions at Columbia University has produced a 48-page booklet explaining how to use 8 principles to help make climate change communications and discussions more effective
• Scanning the Climate Change Terrain (2008): The Topos Partnership conducted a meta-analysis of 10 years of public opinion research to arrive at this compelling and comprehensive guide. A must read for anyone interested in promoting a robust U.S. climate policy.
• A Common Framework of Themes and Ideas: Talking About Global Climate Change (2008): Based on the Topos Partnership's "Scanning the Climate Change Terrain (above)" and conversations with prominent messengers, USITW gives us a short and crisp four pager on establishing a "common framework" for climate change messaging - i.e. a series of consistent big themes and ideas that we want our audiences to take away from our communications.
• Overcoming the Cost Barrier: Findings From Qualitative Research and Message Testing (2008): The Topos Partnership (prolific, I know) explores the way the public interprets the costs surrounding policies to mitigate climate change, and recommends messaging strategies to "overcome the cost barrier." Especially useful and relevant in the context of economic hardship in America.
  
• The Ecological Roadmap: A Guide to American Social Values and Environmental Engagement (2008): Earthjustice, with help from American Environics and Lake Research Partners, evaluates the disconnect between Americans' concern about the environment and climate change and their level of engagement on the issue. The project relies on identifying social values and how they may be influenced to further engagement on environmental issues.

If you are aware of any other credible messaging guides, feel free to join the Connect U.S. Fund community and post them here.