Communicating Ocean Change: Communicating Ocean Change: Activating Our MissionActivating Our Mission

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Let me show you something cool Let me show you something cool and tell you all about it!and tell you all about it!

We need to care about the complex We need to care about the complex systems that supportsystems that supportour special our special animals!animals!

You can help! You can help! Here’s a Here’s a listlist of of things you can do!things you can do!

We can do more if we work We can do more if we work together for a healthy planet!together for a healthy planet!

Our modern challenge is to Our modern challenge is to translate global issues and solutions.translate global issues and solutions.

Seeing this, Seeing this, what might what might aquarium aquarium

visitors be likely visitors be likely to think?to think?

Seeing this, what might aquarium Seeing this, what might aquarium visitors be likely to think?visitors be likely to think?

• Ooooh…what pretty fish.

• I need a vacation.

• I’ve been diving at a place like that.

• Coral polyps build immense structures that form a habitat for many creatures.

• Other ideas?

Seeing this, what might aquarium Seeing this, what might aquarium visitors be likely to think?visitors be likely to think?

“Wow, as a responsible citizen I can act in a way consistent with my values to protect habitats and species like the ones represented in this exhibit.”

All of us can experimentAll of us can experimentWe should tell new stories about…

The planet that links us with all other species

The values people share and how they relate to caring for that planet

The ways in which individuals are already making a positive difference

The ways we can demonstrate our concern by acting together as conscientious citizens

, Keeling Curve after Charles Keeling, from Scripps Institute of Oceanography; Source: www.neaq.org

Big Picture

VALUE (Big Picture)

Issue

Story

Implications Implications for for

InterpretationInterpretation

Recommended Values for Effective Recommended Values for Effective Climate Change CommunicationClimate Change Communication

InterconnectednessStewardshipResponsible ManagementInnovation

Simplifying ModelsSimplifying Models

Historically: Greenhouse Model

A new model: The Heat-trapping Blanket

The Causal Chain of Global Warming

A Burning Fossil Fuels

B CO2 Buildup

C CO2 Traps Heat

D Temperature Rise

E Negative Consequences

• Start with the big idea, the value and the urgency

• Clearly state the problem and the solutions

• Stay away from myths and misconceptions

• Use creative, but clear and relevant metaphors

• Avoid statistics; use social math

• Talk about who is responsible

• Use causal chains

• Use a tone that is calm, optimistic and professional, not alarmist or preachy.

• Use images, props, animals, exhibits to support the big idea

• The audience should be able to answer the questions, “What is this about?” and “How can I help?”