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Manohar Lal Baharani

Apr 30, 2015
06:44

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Excellent idea using media a power tool to shift the attitudes upon understanding the "cradle to grave" lifecycle of the product and move to a "Cradle to Cradle" mindset. I would like to read more it implementation process. Bests, Manohar

Elizabeth Dowey

May 1, 2015
06:59

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Thank you for your comment. Is your question about the "Cradle to Cradle" process? Or about the proposal to work towards changing how the way media addresses climate change topics?

Manohar Lal Baharani

May 2, 2015
05:26

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My question is about the proposal to work towards changing how the way media effectively addresses climate change topics.

Elizabeth Dowey

May 4, 2015
11:19

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Hello Manohar, Please bear with me as I develop the proposal. I am finding this a rewarding process. I am considering many avenues and am honing the idea to a manageable size. I aim to fill in the rest of the proposal in the coming week and will welcome further comments and suggestions. Best, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Dowey

May 18, 2015
09:03

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A note on my progress: I have been doing a lot of reading. I am excited to find out more is going on than I realized. All the more reason to educate the media to include these stories more often. For example: Greening the Media by Toby Miller Listen to an interview with him at: www.pri.org/stories/2015-05-07/your-netflix-binging-might-be-hurting-planet Six Capitals, or Can Accountants Save the Planet? By Jane Gleeson-­White -Elizabeth

Vishal Bhavsar

Jun 9, 2015
04:16

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Dear Jeliz, Thanks for submitting the proposal. What I think this is great idea of creating the conversation from media and journalist as they are the voice. My point is if this campaign can have endorsement from a leading personality it can go a long way. It could either be from sports, entertainment or other field but who has ability to influence change. So if the this voice can be added to the voice of journalist it will be very effective communication platform. I hope this idea can be integrated to your proposal. All the best! Regards, Vishal

Elizabeth Dowey

Jun 10, 2015
08:39

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Dear Vishal, Thank you for reading and commenting on my proposal, Break Climate Change out of its Shell! I appreciate the idea of using a well-known personality to gain attention, or to act as an ambassador about the topic. Perhaps different personalities could be used to reach different audiences. I am concerned that we would be "preaching to the choir". At the same time we need to start somewhere and to begin to broaden and shape the conversation. Even with a well-known personality the background research has to be done. I could see incorporating your idea further down the road as we broaden our reach. Thank you for your input! Elizabeth Dowey

Manohar Lal Baharani

Jun 13, 2015
11:40

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Dear Elizabeth, Nice proposal development that has mostly responded to my earlier comments. I liked the statement above "we need to start somewhere and to begin". I would appreciate if the method of raising funds to the tune of US $185 k / year is also crystallized and elaborated i.e. by seeking grants or through market based instruments promising the returns on investment theory or any other possible routes. Meanwhile I fully agree that background research has to be done for the worthiness of contents to be communicated through media that effectively influence the audience. Best Wishes. Manohar

Elizabeth Dowey

Jun 13, 2015
06:55

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Manohar, Thank you for your review and comments. Yes, raising funds is a concern. I am developing my own credentials through this crowdsourcing project. Were this proposal to reach the finalist phase a presentation at MIT’s Solve conference or another Climate CoLab sponsored forum could bring in collaborators or sponsors. I will be researching organizations such as the New America Foundation for possible collaboration. It may be possible to begin the program on a shoestring and gain merit and bring in supporters. I shall add these thoughts to the Proposal Costs page. Again, thank you for your input. Best, Elizabeth

Rezwan Razani

Jun 24, 2015
06:56

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Great project! I wish you massive success. We need people clarifying what is being talked about, and getting people to use a standard vocabulary to describe things. I like David MacKay's approach with this. http://www.withouthotair.com/c1/page_2.shtml My proposal overlaps with yours in that it is about asking more questions and clarifying the implications. It varies in that it is not directed to media, but is geared toward individuals reflecting on their assumptions while talking to people who hold different assumptions: https://www.climatecolab.org/plans/-/plans/contestId/1301417/planId/1319904 Check it out!

Elizabeth Dowey

Jun 28, 2015
12:58

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Thank you for your comments and references Rezwan! You make some important points, particularly the use of language. I wonder if we should be using the word triage to describe our global situation. Are we at the point where they dangers of nuclear power pale in comparison to the dangers of not using nuclear power. I also like the use of clear info-graphics to convey information. I will look more closely at the references in your proposal. I wonder if you know the group Mothers Out Front? ( http://www.mothersoutfront.org ) They have conversations in people's homes about climate issues. Best, Elizabeth (Born and raised in NJ)

Elizabeth Dowey

Jul 2, 2015
11:42

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Thank you, judges for your comments on my proposal. You identified a weak spot and I will work on it! Best, Elizabeth

Jacob Brown

Mar 5, 2016
07:14

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I love the idea about cleaning up the media. Having a standard set of common criteria or subjects to address should help make things much more consistent. However, I have a couple of areas to think about...

  1. Do we risk convoluting every media story with mixed messages for every new technology or policy?
    Sometimes I feel like the media go for simple stories because most people don't have the time/inclination to read long well-balanced articles on climate change...
    Is this idea specifically focused on articles that are currently read primarily by people already interested in climate change?I agree that human's generally don't pay enough attention to nuance in the media, but do we risk boring a large portion of the readership/viewership because we focus on the details too much?
     
  2. Are there groups out there that do this already? Might be a good idea to look at how they manage to support their editors and 'monitors'.


Saying that, I still love the idea! It needs to be done, but perhaps we just need to think about how it's implemented.

 


Elizabeth Dowey

Mar 10, 2016
07:55

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Thank you, Jacob Brown for your comments.

I agree that we have to be careful on how we do this.  Perhaps a better example is the current situation with the T (the transit system in Boston).  The T is in terrible shape, both its finances and the condition of the infrastructure.  Media and government officials discuss the T problems but I have yet to hear it addressed as part of the climate change issue.  The media does not make the connection and public officials act as though the T stands or falls on its own.  They just voted to raise fares yet again.  In the meantime gas is at an all time low.  No one connects the topics of fuel prices, mass transit fares and climate change.  

I have looked at ClimateTruth.org.  They are working to get climate questions raised in the presidential race. 

There are many ways to go about this!   All comments/suggestions welcome.

Elizabeth


Leann Siefferman

Mar 28, 2016
01:37

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Hi Elizabeth,

Your suggestion of creating what is essentially a PR firm for climate change is needed, and I appreciate your exploration into this topic. Are you familiar with this organization: http://www.climateaccess.org

Here are few thoughts from my particular line of work that could help shape your final proposal:

The media does play a large role in our understanding of climate change issues for a number of reasons, but even with the information made available, this does guarantee behavior change. I agree with your theory that more coverage = an inability to avoid the information. 

I would encourage this project to consider first focusing on a specific region, where research can facilitate localizing and personalizing climate change impacts for the community. The spacial redistribution of what are peceived as "NIMBY" events, climate change impacts abstracted by distance and complexity, into events that are happening in one's own neighborhood is an effective tool for influencing behavior change. Much psychological and social science research into climate change communication strategy highlights these factors as critical. Media outlets should not only communicate climate change information, but highlight local adaptation activities for engagement and the social, economic and environmental benefits of such activities for a more holistic, community-centric understanding of the issues.

Localizing the effort may also help you to identify funding opportunities and individuals willing to work for your cause.

Check out this publication for further detail: http://guide.cred.columbia.edu


Leann Siefferman

Mar 28, 2016
02:13

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Hi Elizabeth,

Your suggestion of creating what is essentially a PR firm for climate change is needed, and I appreciate your exploration into this topic. Are you familiar with this organization: http://www.climateaccess.org

Here are few thoughts from my particular line of work that could help shape your final proposal:

The media does play a large role in our understanding of climate change issues for a number of reasons, but even with the information made available, this does guarantee behavior change. I agree with your theory that more coverage = an inability to avoid the information. 

I would encourage this project to consider first focusing on a specific region, where research can facilitate localizing and personalizing climate change impacts for the community. The spacial redistribution of what are peceived as "NIMBY" events, climate change impacts abstracted by distance and complexity, into events that are happening in one's own neighborhood is an effective tool for influencing behavior change. Much psychological and social science research into climate change communication strategy highlights these factors as critical. Media outlets should not only communicate climate change information, but highlight local adaptation activities for engagement and the social, economic and environmental benefits of such activities for a more holistic, community-centric understanding of the issues.

Localizing the effort may also help you to identify funding opportunities and individuals willing to work for your cause.

Check out this publication for further detail: http://guide.cred.columbia.edu


Susan Joy Hassol

Mar 29, 2016
11:37

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There are existing organizations that are quite large and well funded who do much of the kind of work suggested by this proposal. Climate Nexus (climatenexus.org), based in NYC with 25 full time staff, was started by a group of foundations who felt professional PR for climate change was needed. Another group, Climate Central (climatecentral.org), based in Princeton NJ with more than 40 full time staff, does some different things but also covers many of these bases. I think it's important that those developing this proposal learn more about what is already being done by these and other organizations to avoid further duplication (and/or competition) of efforts.


Elizabeth Dowey

Mar 31, 2016
12:04

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Thank you for recent comments.  I will follow up on your suggestions.  

 


Elizabeth Dowey

Jun 26, 2016
11:09

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The focus of this project, as stated in its title, Break Climate Conversation Out of its Shell!, is to broaden the ways in which we talk about climate change (with emphasis on "talk").   The role we are seeking to play is to inject the topic in new ways into the public conversation and to make connections beyond the energy and technology fields.  We will start by participating in public forums, talk radio, blogs and Twitter.  We will work towards partnering with other organizations such as Mothers Out Front.  The focus will be on members of the general public shaping the climate conversation.   

In this latest revision we incorporated "best practice insights" from van der Linden, Maibach, and Leiserowitz to create a sense of possibility in tackling climate change.  We believe many of the changes required by climate change such as shorter commutes and bringing the natural world back into our daily lives will improve our lives and communities.

I hope this answers some of the comments.

Best,

Elizabeth Dowey


Elizabeth Dowey

Jul 11, 2016
02:27

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The Sunday Boston Globe story "The Incredible Shrinking American Yard" by Keith O'Brian from July 7 illustrates how climate change is not included in relevant stories and reporting.  The article depicts the increasing size of the American house, coupled with the decreasing size of the yard but does not address the effects of these changes in the current changing climate.  It is a classic wasted opportunity to include climate in the conversation.  Connections need to be made between the choices Americans make and their consequences.  Just when we need more trees to absorb carbon and mitigate storm water runoff, land to absorb water and when we need to reduce energy use of Americans we see the larger houses reducing land available to manage damaging effects of more powerful storms. 

Best, Elizabeth


Dimoir Quaw

Jul 31, 2016
02:28

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Hello Commentors,

I have voted for this proposal. Congratulations to Elizabeth, Rezwan, Manohar, Steve, Jess, Angélica, Ronald and William on their selection as finalists! TEEU as outlined in my proposal https://www.climatecolab.org/contests/2016/energy-supply/c/proposal/1316801 is scalable for ownership by the land-owning citizen. As such, action can be taken by the individual members of the public by boycotting electricity produced by their local fossil fuel power plant in favour of utilising the solar-thermal energy captured in the garden soil or walls of a residential property or home.

What makes the energy supply companies sit up and pay more attention to the end consumer (public) than when the consumer ceases to use their electricity (which produces greenhouse gas as a by-product)?  

I for one hope that your dialog will one day make the above a reality some day!

Please review my proposal and vote if you think it can help. The "energy supply" vote will not remove the "Shifting Behavior for a Changing Climate" vote.

Best regards,

Dimoir


Elizabeth Dowey

Aug 8, 2016
12:58

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Update

In light of suggestions to work with existing organizations we have been in touch with Mothers Out Front about collaborating.  At the first meeting there was a lot of enthusiasm and feeling our work would compliment both groups. We will be pursuing this effort through Mothers Out Front state-wide Communications Team.  Mothers Out Front has a strong grass roots organization in several states and could possibly help jumpstart the efforts to reach the media.

Apologies to Dimoir that I did not see your comment.  I will look into you proposal very soon.

Best,

Elizabeth Dowey