Scared straight: Out of believing the climate-change story

                                                               Paul Souders – Corbis

Time writer Bryan Walsh reported yesterday that:

“According to forthcoming research by the Berkeley psychologists Robb Willer and Matthew Feinberg, when people are shown scientific evidence or news stories on climate change that emphasize the most negative aspects of warming — extinguished species, melting ice caps, serial natural disasters — they are actually more likely to dismiss or deny what they’re seeing. Far from scaring people into taking action on climate change, such messages seem to scare them straight into denial.“

Walsh remembers working on scary, global-warming stories that reach a peak in 2006 when Time titled its cover story on climate change, crowned with a photo of a lonely polar bear on an ice floe, Be Worried. Be Very Worried. 

“I know why we used the language we did,” Walsh recalls. “Scientists were telling us that global warming really had the potential to wreck the future of the planet, and we wanted to get that message across to readers — even if it meant scaring the hell out of them.”

But all those scare tactics–based on the truth or not–may have had the opposite effect. In his piece,Climate-Change Strategy: Be Afraid — but Only a Little, Walsh reports on how Willer and Feinberg conducted their research and he speculates on how it might effect the future debate over climate change.

 
Environmental organizations whose stock in trade has been the Chicken Little Sky is Falling Approach might do well to give this story and the research it reports on some long, hard thought.  
 
What do you think?  Let us know in the comment box below.
 

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Environmental legislation up for votes today in Trenton

Environment and energy 

legislation up for votes today 
in the Assembly and Senate

 
ASSEMBLY VOTING SESSION – Today – 11/22/10 – 1 PM
For consideration:

A-2664  Riley, C.M. (D-3)
Revises penalty for destruction of, or damage to, trees, saplings, shrubs or other plants;
repeals current law thereon.
      
A-3130  Burzichelli, J.J. (D-3)
Concerns Watershed Property Review Board in DEP.
      
S-212  Whelan, J. (D-2); Milam, M.W. (D-1); Albano, N.T. (D-1); Quijano, A. (D-20)
Allows construction of wind dependent energy facilities on piers within 500 feet of mean high water line of tidal waters.
Related Bill: A-868
   
SENATE VOTING SESSION – Today – 11/22/10 – 2 PM
For consideration:

A-2305  Milam, M.W. (D-1); Albano, N.T. (D-1); Riley, C.M. (D-3); Wilson, G.L. (D-5)
Expands “Jersey Fresh” program to include “Made With Jersey Fresh” designation of certain baked goods and other food products.
Related Bill: S-1179
      
S-2381  Smith, B. (D-17); Bateman, C. (R-16)
Establishes a long-term capacity agreement pilot program to promote construction of qualified in-State electric generation facilities.
Related Bill: A-3442

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Follow NPR down New Jersey’s tragic Passaic River

National Public Radio’s Art Silverman locates the headwaters of New Jersey’s
Passaic River and follows the waterway to the sea, through its industrial history
and layer-upon-layer of environmental abuses.

It’s not a pretty story but it’s lively and instructive, and it introduces us to a song
or two about the river and to a few quintessential New Jersey characters.

Listen to the story here. Then check out its video companion below.

Related:
Halliburton objects, so PA limits fracking disclosure rules  

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New date, location for NJ climate forum, but no governor

                                                                                           Vanity Fair image

New Jersey environmental organizations are jumping all over Gov. Chris Christie’s admission last week that he is skeptical about man’s role in global warming (Scientists ask climate-doubter Christie to stay after class).

They scheduled a climate forum “to present the overwhelming scientific findings linking human activity and climate change” and they invited the governor and his staff to attend.

If you’re planning to go, please note that the date and location have been changed to:

New Jersey Climate Change Science Forum
Noon, Tuesday, December 7
Committee Room 1, New Jersey Annex
Trenton, NJ
Speakers: Rutgers Professors Alan Robock, Jim Miller, and Paul Falkowski
Sponsors: Environment New Jersey, NJ Sierra Club, NJ Conservation Foundation, NY/NJ Baykeeper, and the NJ Highlands Coalition


A spokesman for Governor Christie says the state’s chief executive has declined the invitation.

(You don’t get to be governor by walking blind-eyed into media traps like this one).


The organizations say they subsequently offered the governor a private meeting to discuss climate-change science with the Rutgers scientists “at any that would convenient to the governor.” So far, they’ve received no response.
 
We suspect the last polar ice cap could dissolve before that RSVP is returned.
 
With Mr. Christie’s swelling national popularity among the Republican right and talk of a presidential run (not this time, but next) there’s little political advantage for him to admit to being anything but skeptical about global warming.

After all, there is not a single Republican in the House or Senate’s incoming class who admits to believing that the science supporting global warming is real.

Amazing, isn’t it, how quickly public opinion can shift?  How did this happen?
Share your thoughts in the comment box below. If you’re worried about getting caught on the wrong political side of the argument, you can answer anonymously.    

 

Related:
As Glaciers Melt, Science Seeks Data on Rising Seas

Our most recent posts:
Scientists ask climate-doubter Christie to stay after class
Enviro-Events Calendar for NJ, PA, DE & NY

Halliburton objects, so PA limits fracking disclosure rules  

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Scientists ask climate-doubter Christie to stay after class

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told a town hall audience last week that he needs to see more science to convince him that humans are responsible for global warming. Today, a number of  university scientists offered to provide just the tutorial he needs.

In a letter, Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University and Jim Miller, Judith Weis, and Paul Falkowski of Rutgers University invited the Governor and his staff to a Dec 7 (revised date) climate forum in Trenton organized by Environment New Jersey and other environmental organizations. Oppenheimer, and Miller will be joined on the panel  by Alan Robock of Rutgers University.
“I would be happy to help inform Governor Christie about the scientific evidence of climate change, and its potential impacts to the citizens of New Jersey and the nation.  The evidence that climate change is directly related to human activities is compelling, and the fundamental data are not in dispute,” said Paul Falkowski of Rutgers University, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences.
“New Jersey must forge ahead to implement solutions to climate change. As these scientists have asserted, the debate about whether humans are a leading cause and thus if we should act has largely been settled,” said Dena Mottola Jaborska, Executive Director of Environment New Jersey in a news release.

On Sunday, New Jersey Sierra Club director and chief quipster Jeff Tittel declared that the governor’s comment “has more to do with political science than sound science.” 

“By aligning himself with the right wing of the Republican Party, the Tea Party and other groups funded by coal industry, the governor may get political gain but will impose long-term consequences to New Jersey’s environment and economy,” Tittel added in an op-ed piece in The Record.

Our most recent posts:
Enviro-Events Calendar for NJ, PA, DE & NY

Halliburton objects, so PA limits fracking disclosure rules
Video: A new way to hammer home your opinion
NJ-based Langan expands to California with acquisition

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Enviro-Events Calendar for NJ, PA, DE & NY

Enviro-Events Calendar
November 12, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Pines Manor, Edison (Route 27)
Cost (includes continental breakfast): $129 (member),
$169 (nonmember)


Register Now

How to Cut Your Energy Costs and Go Green

It seems like everyone is trying to save energy these days. Conserving energy and becoming more efficient can save your business money and improve your company’s image at the same time.  At this half-day program, energy experts, energy providers, and top government officials will explain:

bulletHow to use new strategies and tactics to make your company more energy efficient
bulletHow to get government financing for energy projects, and
bulletHow to get help from your utility providers

Ask questions. Get answers. Make contacts.
Register now or download brochure for details.

November 12, 2010
New Jersey Pinelands Commission 
9:30 a.m.
NJ Pinelands Commission Offices
15 Springfield Road New Lisbon, NJ 08064

The Pinelands Commission usually meets on the second Friday of each month. The meetings are open to the public and are most frequently conducted at the Richard J. Sullivan Center for Environmental Policy and Education, 15C Springfield Road, New Lisbon, New Jersey. The Commission does sometimes meet at other locations in the Pinelands during the year, so please confirm the meeting place by calling the Commission’s offices.
Committees of the Commission meet between the regularly scheduled monthly meetings. The committees include Comprehensive Management Plan Policy and Implementation, Permanent Land Protection, Personnel and Budget, Public and Governmental Programs, and Science. For more information, contact 609 894-7300.


November 14, 2010
An Afternoon with Pine Barrens author Howard Boyd1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Pinelands Preservation Alliance
17 Pemberton Road, Southampton, NJ
(609) 859-8860

Stop by the PPA on Sunday afternoon to meet Howard Boyd, the legendary Pine Barrens ecologist and author. Mr. Boyd will be on hand to reminisce and sign copies of his books.

Mr. Boyd is the author of the following books about Pine Barrens ecology:
Copies of all of Mr. Boyd’s books will be available for purchase; attendees may also bring copies of previously purchased books or other memorabilia for signing.
Light refreshments will be served.
FREE. No RSVP required.
Sponsored by Pinelands Preservation Alliance and Plexus Publishing
Make a DONATION

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November 17, 2010
Greenbuild 2010
Chicago
Event information & registration

November 18
Biomass Energy for New Jersey Farmers 

8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Rutgers EcoComplex – Columbus, NJ
While solar and wind renewable energy are receiving much attention, biomass energy may be within the reach of more New Jersey farmers. Rutgers research and Extension personnel and others will discuss the potential for biomass crops in the Garden State.
Topics include:

* Recent findings regarding biomass on farms

* Challenges facing biomass energy
* Private sector advances in biomass
* Experiences with biomass on farms in NJ and PA
* Existing and potential funding sources for biomass
   
Attendance is free. Coffee and danish at 8:30. Lunch provided after the program at noon.
Sponsored by the Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station and the NJ Farm Bureau.
Seating is limited. Registration is required. Reserve your seat at 609-393-7163  

November 23, 2010

EBC Environmental Roundtable
8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
PSE&G Training & Development Center
234 Pierson Ave.
Edison, NJ


The EBC Environmental Roundtable meets to discuss relevant environmental issues, regulatory changes and new developments provided by our subcommittees that may impact our members focusing on: Regulatory Affairs, Brownfields & Site Remediation, Natural Resource Damages, Water, Air, Environmental Technology, International Trade, Sustainability, Energy, Enforcement & OSHA News and Regulations.  Lanny Kurzweil, McCarter and English, LLP, Moderator. Tracy Straka, Creamer Environmental, EBC Chair SEATING IS LIMITED.  This meeting is complimentary to CIANJ members. The cost is $ 80 for non-members.


November 30, 2010
LSRP Summit:
Update and Assessment of the ‘New World Order’ 

Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard
Trenton, NJ
Hear from NJDEP Assistant Commissioner David Sweeney and key leaders in New Jersey on the latest legislative, regulatory and technical developments in the LSRP program as we prepare for legislative hearings, new regulations and sweeping technical changes that are under way. All of this plus key insights from a distinguished panel on their experience with the LSRP program. RSVP: Alicia Johnson, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services
ajohnson@langan.com  or 215.491.6529  

December 1, 2010

Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum
Clean Energy: Fact or Fiction?
New York City
Keynote Speaker: John Hofmeister, Founder and CEO, Citizens for Affordable Energy, Inc and Former President, Shell Oil Company. Click here to view full agenda.



December 3, 2010
Electric Car Charging Business Opportunities
11am until 1pm
Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard
1 West Lafayette, Trenton, NJ
Luncheon Buffet by Archives Restaurant
$15.95 + tax & gratuity
More information & RSVP@ http://pgproductsroyalfushseminar1.eventbrite.com/ 

December 8, 2010  
Got solar? Your neighbor does
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Cherry Hill Public Library
1100 Kings Highway N.
Cherry Hill Township has done it – your neighbors are doing it.
Learn how you can have solar power installed on your home and business
and how you can benefit at this FREE solar seminar.
The program is free – but registration is required.
Register online: www.chplnj.org/events or here
Or call 856.903.1207 for information.
Presented by: Sustainable Cherry Hill Green Building Task Force
and  The Cherry Hill Public Library

 
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For free publication, send your event information to: editor@enviropolitics.com

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