Event Summary

Online registration for this event is now closed. Please email Joanna Hecht at jhecht@connectusfund.org if you would still like to register.

How can advocates communicate with the public about what climate change is and the need for action to reverse it? Sue Veres Royal, Co-Director, USITW, will be presenting research from the Topos Partnership and facilitating an interactive conversation about where the public "is" on this issue and implications for communicators.

Event Description

The U.S. in the World Initiative (USITW) will be briefing advocates on work USITW was involved in developing with the Partnership Project, Green Group and the Topos Partnership.  Additionally, with the permission of the Partnership Project, USITW will share results from extensive research that was conducted by the Topos Partnership, on behalf of the Partnership Project, in 2008 and early 2009; over 40 environmental groups were involved in this effort.  This research, which includes an analysis of public opinion polls and focus groups, provides insights into the public's understanding of climate change and whether or not there is strong support for policy and lifestyle changes needed to address it. The research sought to better understand effective ways in which advocates can communicate with the public and enhance their understanding of what climate change is, the causes of climate change, and the need for  individual, community, national and international action to address it and prevent further impacts - without relying solely on guilt and fear.

Here are some of the resources that will be used in this presentation:

Talking About Global Climate Change:  Do's and Don'ts. Produced by the U.S. in the World Initiative  (Summer 2008).

A Common Framework of Themes and Ideas:  Talking About Global Climate Change. Produced by the U.S. in the World Initiative (Fall 2008).

Scanning the Climate Change Terrain: A Meta-analysis of Public Opinion Research. Produced by the Topos Partnership for the Climate Message Project and the U.S. in the World Initiative.  Author: Meg Bostrom, Public Knowledge (2008).

Overcoming the Cost Barrier: Findings From Qualitative Research and Message Testing. Prepared by the Topos Partnership, commissioned by the Climate Message Project and the U.S. in the World Initiative.  Authors: Axel Aubrun, Ph.D., Meg Bostrom, Andrew Brown, Ph.D., Joseph Grady, Ph.D. (June 2008).

Executive Summary:  The Ecological Roadmap: A Guide to American Social Values and Environmental Engagement. Produced by EarthJustice.  Research by American Environics and Lake Research Partners.  Written by Cara Pike, Meredith Herr, David Minkow and Heather Weiner.

From February through September, USITW will be conducting a series of briefings on public opinion and messaging. The sessions - from 10 a.m. through 12 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month - will consist of a 45-minute overview of the topic, followed by discussion on applying the information to participants' own work.

Speakers

Sue Veres-Royal, USITW