Climate Communication in Broadcast Meteorology
A Workshop on Science and Storytelling
Welcome!
Thom Davis
Rick Oches
Dave Szymanski
pdavis@bentley.edu
roches@bentley.edu
dszymanski@bentley.edu
Department of Natural & Applied Sciences
September 20, 2014
Premises:
(1) Topics of climate change (or global warming) and
media reports on such topics remain controversial with
respect to public opinion and positions in the broadcast
meteorology community.
(1) With respect to Earth’s climate, earth and atmospheric
scientists have accumulated a vast body of data from
calibrated measurements and well-tested hypotheses
using best practices in science.
(1) Broadcast meteorologists have a vital, self-identified
role as science communicators to the public and can be
effective climate educators.
Global warming refers to the idea that the world’s average
temperature has been increasing over the past 150 years,
may be increasing more in the future, and that the world’s
climate may change as a result.
Do you think that global warming is happening?
(n=433)
Yes, and it is caused mostly by human activity.
19%
Yes, it is caused more-or-less equally by human
activity and natural events.
35%
Yes, and it is caused mostly by natural events.
29%
Don’t know.
8%
No.
9%
SOURCE: Maibach, E., Cobb, S. Leiserowitz A., Peters, E., Schweizer, V., Mandryk, C., Witte, J., (2011)
A National Survey of Television Meteorologists about Climate Change: Education. George Mason
University. Fairfax, VA: Center for Climate Change Communication
climate science ≠
climate communication
Broadcaster
Interviews
(n=22)
Approach to communicating with
audiences on climate change
AVOID
ENGAGE
COMPROMISE
6
HIGHER
1
Comfort level
@ explaining
climate science
8
LOWER
15
2
9
11
4
5
7
13
10
14
12
16
3
17
18
19
20
21
22
Climate Communication in Broadcast Meteorology
A Workshop on Science and Storytelling
AGENDA
8:00
8:30
Registration and continental breakfast
Welcome – P. Thom Davis
8:35
8:50
9:15
Climate Communication in Broadcast Meteorology – Dave Szymanski
Pre-workshop survey
Introduction – Randy Olson
9:30
The State of Climate Science – Rick Oches
10:15
10:45
Break
Activity and Discussion – Climate misconceptions
11:00
Keynote Address: “Finding the Narrative” – Randy Olson
12:00
Lunch
1:00
Earth’s Record of Climate – P. Thom Davis
1:45
Break
2:15
2:30
Activity and Discussion – What does the public need to know?
“And, But, Therefore” narrative building exercise – Randy Olson
4:30
Post-workshop survey
5:00
5:30
Wrap-up: final thoughts and questions
Adjourn/appetizers and cocktails at The Naked Fish (455 Totten Pond Road,
Waltham, MA 02451)