Environmental Activism in the Digital AgeNYU Polytechnic School of EngineeringApril 2nd, 2014

Environmental activism in the digital age:One guiding principle

Edward Maibach, MPH, PhDGeorge Mason University

The guiding principle:

Simple clear messages, repeated often,

by a variety of trusted voices.

About “Simple clear messages,…”:

1. The less you say, the more you are heard

2. Say the things that have the most value (in achieving your communication objective)

3. Use audience research to determine what to say (i.e., which messages have most value)*

About “…repeated often,…”:

1. Repetition is the mother of learning (as well as liking and trust)

2. Adapt it, elaborate it, but no matter what, say it “early and often”

3. When possible, say it with words, visual images, and verbal images (i.e., metaphors)

About “…by a variety of trusted voices.”:

1. Determine who is most trusted

2. Ask (and enable) them to convey your message(s)

3. Ideally, your message(s) should be so simple and clear that even members of your target audience will start saying it to their friends and family members – after all, friends and family members are most peoples’ most-trusted sources.

To enhance the odds of success, create a team.

Effective public engagement is a team sport involving collaboration between:– Content experts– Social/decision science experts– Communication experts

Fischhoff, B. (2007) Non-persuasive Communication about Matters of Greatest Urgency: Climate Change. Environmental Science & Technology Online. 41:7204-8.

A current example

The AAAS “What We Know” Initiative

http://whatweknow.aaas.org/

• Climate change is real• It’s human-caused• It’s harmful to humans• It’s solvable

Desire forSocietal

Response

Support forClimatePolicies

The “big five” key beliefs contribute to a range of helpful attitudes and actions

Sources: Ding-Ding et al., 2012; Lewandowsky et al., 2012; Roser-Renouf et al., 2011; Krosnick et al., 2006

Political &ConsumerActivism

Experts agree: human-caused climate change

is happening {The “big five” key beliefs

WWK’s three messages:

1. Climate scientists agree: climate change is happening here and now.

2. We are at risk of pushing our climate system toward abrupt, unpredictable, and potentially irreversible changes with highly damaging impacts.

3. The sooner we act, the lower the risk and cost. And there is much we can do.

In conclusion:

What is the guiding principle?