ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION

CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION

1. Watch the following two-minute video from Neil deGrasse Tyson and National Geographic Answer the following (40):

1. According to deGrasse Tyson, what is the difference between “weather” and “climate”? How does he use his walk on the beach with his dog to illustrate the difference?

1. What larger point does deGrasse Tyson make about the role of human activity in recent trends in climate toward a warming planet?

1. What is deGrasse Tyson’s overall approach to presenting the subject matter in this short video? Do you think it is effective? Why or why not?

2. According to Cox & Pezzullo (Ch. 6) and Depoe’s video lecture I, what is the “precautionary principle”? How does it operate as a risk management principle in everyday life? How do environmental scientists, advocates, and policy-makers apply this principle as part of their climate change communication strategy? (50)

3. According to Cox & Pezzullo (Ch. 6) and Depoe’s video lecture I, what is the “trope of uncertainty”? How does it operate as a risk management principle in everyday life? How do advocates who oppose more stringent environmental regulations or wish to forestall more dramatic shifts in energy use patterns apply this principle in their communication strategies? (50)

4. How does Depoe define “climate silence” in video lecture I and the lecture notes? Based on the readings and a perusal of Twitter posts at #climatesilence, list and briefly explain two examples of governmental “climate silence” efforts. (50)

5. What is the “spiral of silence” theory? How does it relate to climate change communication? Briefly explain by referring to Depoe’s summary in video lecture I and to recent public opinion research conducted by the Yale Center for Climate Change Communication (see Yale Program 2018 and Prijatel 2018 in readings). (50)

6. Who is Katherine Hayhoe?. List five facts that you found about her. (20)

7. Based on the interview in Sierra Magazine and the brief video included in the readings (40):

1. What is the biggest piece of advice Hayhoe would give you or anyone else concerning climate change communication?

1. What gives Hayhoe “climate hope” as we move forward in these days?

1. Do you agree or disagree with Hayhoe? Explain.