Government/Public Examples and Suggestions for Dissemination
Discussion leaders: Michael Calaban and Lynne Carter
Notes by Robin Wang and Matt Balazik
Useful Information Products: (What kind of information do we need to provide?)
- Broad definition of public/constituents.
- Distilled information, diverse products. Different materials for different public
constituencies e.g. White House, Congress, etc.
- Describe why we do assessment.
- Tie to "real world" needs.
- Focus more on relevant and current extremes plus climate change.
- Be brief and entertaining.
- Short TV spots and advertising.
- At prime time: Fees
- Non-prime: Public service announcements may be free.
- Quality production (costs $)
- Required reporting state regulations
- Pullout information from EPA reports.
- Emphasize issues for localities.
- Materials tailored for audiences. Put the main message in the package, and include
references for the details/further information.
- What to communicate? What is the message?
- Common material as a presentation package.
- Fact sheet for specific audience. Executive summary (e.g., sector fact sheet) in lay
language.
Techniques for information dissemination:
- Chance to inform farmers when they have winter meetings (non-busy time).
- Targeting Audiences in current (targeted) publications. Reputable journals for
technical reports.
- Presentations, flyers, pullout segment.
- TV/Radio/Internet.
- Civic league meetings, presentations, letters.
- Present study results to interested stakeholders. Assist them in follow-up proposals.
- Presentation package slides, overheads, PowerPoint, downloadable, CD-ROM.
- Uniformity of resources.
- Short regional specific reports, fact sheets with executive summary.
- Few bulleted points.
- Contend with uncertainties what we know/dont know.
- Uniformity of resources
- States Extension and Sea Grant offices (must keep current)
- Regional broadcasts collaborate with meteorologists.
- Annual meetings
- Regional discussion
- Educational outreach
- Curriculum development: education packages for teachers use.
- Certification of teachers in climate change program.
- Link from websites "for teachers", "for students"
- Add information to present efforts. E.g., Drivers education. Include "driving
clean".
- Increase understanding of soil and water linkages with atmosphere.
- Coloring books, childrens magazines, poster contests.
- Special speaker in class.
- Good images and key ideas (fast paced, bullet text).
- Include historical record show recent change in climate, "what
ifs." Put future time in context. Such as 30 years from now is a span like 30 ago
(rather than 2030).
- Long term perspective: climate change + other issues (e.g., analysis of land use trends
with population increase) have many intersections. Use those as lead-ins for info
dissemination.
Collaborations:
- Direct contact with network gate keepers.
- Radio, TV, and web.
- Web links from popular sites such as USAToday.
- Link with national weather service pages/websites.
- Speakers bureau from MARA.
- Contact other regions and websites links.
- Working with lawmakers: educate about need to change subsidies/incentives because of new
knowledge (e.g., revamp FEMA flood insurance so it discourages rebuilding in harms way).
- Every state has an extension service agent. Cooperate with them.
- Regional broadcast meteorologist.
- Use collaboration and knowledge/suggestions from phone contacts.
- Contact Ann Fisher (fisherann@psu.edu) with publication/dates/contents.