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Climate Access • April 11, 2014 Communicating the NCA: Communicating Impacts & Adaptation Susanne C. Moser, Ph.D. Susanne Moser Research & Consulting Stanford University • A crucial moment for public engagement on climate change • Impacts are increasingly observed, felt • Communicating impacts • Communicating adaptation Photo: EPA/Ramin Talaie Overview Social Coast Forum 2014 Social Coast Forum 2014 “Sunny Day” Impacts of Sea-Level Rise Source: Paul Krashefski, Broward County Natural Resources Planning and Management Division Growing Recognition: Sense of Place The experience related to characteristics of a place that make it special or unique, as well as to those that foster a sense of authentic human attachment and belonging Social Coast Forum 2014 The ways in which who we are and who we perceive ourselves to be is inseparably linked to the place in which we live – ‘cognitive-behavioral importance’ – how place identity shapes climate change perceptions, behavior – ‘health and well-being importance’ – how climate change affects health and well-being – ‘collective action importance’ – how place identity can help foster collective action on climate change Source: Fresque-Baxter and Armitage (2012) Photo: www.barewalls.com Place Identity Climate Change Threatens Our Sense of Place and Place Identity “When places become threatened from real or perceived changes, continuity of place may be disrupted, potentially impacting place identity. This may result in […] coping strategies (e.g., taking actions against change, denial, reestablishing place meanings) to alleviate the threat and/or the resultant tension caused by it. Changes or disruptions can result in changing perceptions of place meanings/values, feelings of loss, or the experience of grief.” (Fresque-Baxter and Armitage, 2012: 253) • Many people are "connecting the dots” (extremes and gradual, “weird” changes) • Extreme events heighten people's awareness and worry about climate change • Direct experiences increase our psychological distress • Experience of extreme events can heighten people’s willingness to act • Also still "psychological distancing” NOW is the time to engage!!! • Leadership not enough, not visible Source: smallbiztrends.com A Growing Sense of Unease & Doom -> Helplessness and Numbing How to talk about impacts? 1. OBSERVATION – Recent experience – Locally observed impact – Visual, real, tangible 2. VALIDATION – Local/personal: Told by those who experience or manage them – Scientific: Reinforced by local and/or NCA expert – Contextualization in historical trends 3. ATTRIBUTION – Only if scientifically credible – Depends on political-cultural context 4. IMPLICATION – Outlook if trends worsen: losses – people, community, economy, places people love – Outlook if unmanaged: costs ($ and non-$) – Sets up “what to do” question Graphic: http://blog.discoverymachine.com/ … and mitigate How to talk about “adaptation”? Planning ahead Climate risk management Asking the climate question Readiness Resiliency strategies Responses Adaptation Climate-proofing Climate-ready Preparedness Preparation Climate-resistant Climate-smart Coping Adjustments Climate actions Resilience Concrete actions: prevent wildfires, nourish beaches, establish heat-health warning systems, flood-proof homes Mitigating the impacts Source: Moser (2014), WIREs Climate Change How to communicate adaptation? 1. EDUCATION – What can be done (multiple concrete options) – Resonant language – Invitation to participate in finding solutions 2. VISUALIZATION – Help people imagine how adaptation would look • Historical practice • Best practice • Experience in a similar community elsewhere – Portray relevant actors engaged in solutions 3. MOTIVATION – Authentic hope through vision, path, meaningful role – Benefits of preparatory action 4. COOPERATION – Tap into values that affirm the audience in their sense of self, sense of safety (preparedness, stewardship, responsibility, precaution, fairness, honesty, transparency) – Sense of being in it together – Sense of feasibility, efficacy • Be prepared to deal with emotion • Start with, tap into what people love • Explore and use place attachment and place identity as leverage for action • Remind people of their connectedness to each other and to the non-human world • Engage citizens meaningfully in joint problem-solving that leads to tangible local outcomes Sources: Crompton and Kasser (2009), Moser (2013) © Sebastian Guerrini (blog.inpolis.com) Summary: Place-Based Engagement • Contact & Publications: Susi Moser, Ph.D. E: [email protected] W: http://www.susannemoser.com Photo by Heinz Gutscher Thank you!