Climate Change Adaptation: Ideas, Tips, and Resources for

Effective Communication

Lesley JantarasamiUS EPA, Office of Air & Radiation

National Tribal Forum

May 2, 2013

Starting the Climate Conversation

• We know that many tribes are on the front lines of climate change.

• Climate change adaptation is about preparing for current and projected changes in climate.

• The first step in adaptation planning is to build and maintain support for taking action.

Ideas & Tips for Communicating on Climate Adaptation

Effective communication is key to building and maintaining support to prepare for climate change.

But where to begin? Lessons learned and best

practices are still evolving, but early examples have common themes.

Photo: USFWS/Gary Peeples

Take a Global Issue…

…and make it

local

Photo: USFWS/Steve Hillebrand

Make the Message Manageable

• Climate adaptation is a response to changes that are already occurring and are expected to continue– Acknowledge that it is a long-term issue

– But avoid getting bogged down with what will happen 100 years from now

• Focus on local information, near-term impacts of climate change, and near-term benefits of being prepared

• Goal is to leave your audience with impression that adaptation is both achievable and desirable

Emphasize the Economics

Planning for future changes can benefit tribal government today.

Proactive planning is more effective and less costly than reacting to impacts as they occur.

It’s like insurance for an uncertain future.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a

pound of cure”

→Prevention Pays

→‘No Regrets’ Actions

→ Risk Management / Disaster Preparedness

Integrate Cultural Values

• Frame the issue or “story” for local culture

• Consider Traditional Ecological Knowledge– Example: Confederated

Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Photos: Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic

→ Better future

→ Health, Safety, and Well-Being

→ Security for Air, Water, Food

→ Sustainability of Livelihoods and Culture

Pho

to:

US

DA

Implementation Tips

• Seek buy-in early and often• Get local, credible messengers on

board• Set milestones; take step-by-step• Be ready for windows of opportunity

– As appropriate, use climate-related events to communicate need to adapt

– Integrate with existing planning processes

Photo: Ontario MNR

U.S. EPA ResourcesU.S. EPA Climate Change Website• Accessible scientific information about the causes and impacts of climate change

www.epa.gov/climatechange • Specific information about the impacts and adaptation options by region and sector for the

U.S. www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/

U.S. EPA Climate Change Indicators Report• EPA report on set of 26 indicators used to track the signs of climate change

www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/index.html

U.S. EPA State and Local Climate and Energy Program Website• Links to state adaptation plans, resources, and tools

www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/state/topics/impacts-adaption.html• Climate adaptation webcasts on impacts, planning frameworks, and federal resources

http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/web-podcasts/local-webcasts.html#adap1

Other U.S. EPA Programs• Climate Ready Estuaries water.epa.gov/type/oceb/cre/index.cfm• Climate Ready Water Utilities water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/index.cfm

Other Resources

Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments. By the Climate Impacts Group; King County, Washington; and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA. http://www.cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/snoveretalgb574.pdf

ITEP’s Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Plan Template. Available upon request from Sue Wotkyns. (susan.wotkyns@nau.edu)

CAKE – Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange Case studies, virtual library, online community www.cakex.org

ICLEI – Free adaptation resources, adaptation training, ADAPT Tool, regional impacts www.icleiusa.org/climate_and_energy/Climate_Adaptation_Guidance

National Wildlife Federation – Guidebooks and reports on conservation-focused adaptation strategies http://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Energy-and-Climate/Climate-Smart-Conservation/Adaptation-Reports.aspx Facing the Storm: Indian Tribes, Climate-Induced Weather Extremes, and the Future for Indian Country,

2011 http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/xnifc/documents/text/idc015951.pdf

Natural Resource Defense Council Climate Change and Health http://www.nrdc.org/health/climate/

U.S. Global Change Research Program National Climate Assessment, data, reports www.globalchange.gov/

Acknowledgements

• Cara Pike, The Social Capital Project / Climate Access• Nancy Gilliam, Model Forest Policy Program / Climate Solutions University• Gwen Griffith, Cumberland River Compact / Climate Solutions University

Contact Information

Lesley JantarasamiOffice of Air & Radiation

Office of Atmospheric ProgramsClimate Change Division

Jantarasami.Lesley@epa.gov

Panel Discussion

Delbert Altaha Jr., White Mountain Apache Tribe

Joe Hostler, Yurok TribeViolet Yeaton, Port Graham Village

Southwest

Southwest

Northern California

Northern California

Alaska

Alaska

Discussion Questions

1. What was your approach to making your adaptation project manageable and achievable?

2. Has anyone used an economics messaging approach?

3. What were some of the ways you integrated cultural values into your messages?

4. Do you have other tips for what communication approaches worked well and what didn’t?