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Planet Now
Blog on Effective Environmental Communication
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This week, I wanted to draw attention to a serious environmental disaster - which hopefully you have already heard about. A train carrying chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. The train cars were marked as “non-hazardous” despite containing vinyl chloride, a gas linked to cancers. Authorities implemented a controlled burn to reduce the chances of chemicals causing an explosion. The controlled burn has released chemicals into the atmosphere that are harmful to humans. Residents of the area are concerned about whether their air and water are safe and if they can trust government officials saying they are safe. The disaster has been devastating to wildlife in the area. Thousands of creatures like fish, chickens, and the endangered hellbender salamander have been found dead near the incident. I saw an interesting tweet about the derailment from environmental writer Eve Andrews. She shared her disappointment with many people on her Twitter feed saying there was a lack of coverage on the derailment despite much coverage.
The tweet made me think about information overload. As we get much of our news from the Internet and social media, we are exposed to different stories and may not come across big stories about serious issues. Additionally, with information overload, we experience selective bias because we pay attention to what fits our beliefs. For example, I’m interested in understanding climate change, so I follow a lot of environmental accounts. I’ve also made friends in my environmental classes and clubs, so I am particularly exposed to environmental media when they share content. Therefore, much of the media I consume comes from people who believe in climate change and are very pro-environment. As a result, I might think the opinions I see a lot reflect how the general population thinks. Clearly, information overload makes it possible to miss important stories and shows the importance of following news sources of various sizes and topics to help us stay informed. There has been an abundance of misinformation about the derailment as area residents and government agencies investigate. However, we should keep paying attention to the situation and learn lessons to prevent future similar accidents. It’s not the first, but hopefully with future consideration of risks, it will be the last chemical disaster.
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In my media law class, I have studied how the SEC may require companies to share their climate mitigation plans, so I asked the panelists about the role of government requirements for ESG. They said that the government has a role in requiring ESG reporting when companies would otherwise not have to do so; however, it would be more efficient to also increase public-private partnerships that help companies share ESG information clearly and consistently . Next, I asked how people outside companies can encourage companies to be more transparent about how they are mitigating their climate impacts, especially if they are not legally required to share this information. Dr. May said people have power to create change both by being intentional consumers and through their careers. Throughout the conference, the panelists had lots of insight to share about ESG. Here are some of the key takeaways I had:
If you want to learn about a recent college graduate who has already done inspiring work in the sustainability field, look no further than Cara Kuuskvere! She is a sustainability analyst at Hanesbrands and a UNC Class of 2022 graduate. At UNC, she was Director of Sustainable Projects for the Residence Hall Association for three years. We worked together in the student organization United Solar Initiative, and I enjoyed seeing her drive for change.
Why did she pursue this path? Cara had many different career goals as a kid but always wanted to help others. For instance, she considered being a teacher and a doctor. “I thought about my skills and what would have a positive impact on those around me. Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing our generation, so I thought, maybe I can go into that,” she shared. She knew that working in the sustainability space would help create a more equitable world. While at UNC, Cara majored in environmental science and business administration, where she was in the Kenan Scholars program for students committed to putting the private sector to work for the public good. She also dove into sustainability outside the classroom. As a first-year student, she was the sustainability officer for her residence hall. Then, she became Director of Sustainable Projects for residence halls across campus. In this role, she focused on increasing education about sustainability for students living on campus. With a broad job description, she took on various projects from energy efficiency retrofits in the residence halls to putting on fun programs for residents to learn about sustainability. One program was letting residents decorate their own compost bins. I still use my compost bin from one of the events she helped my residence hall coordinate! “The more I got involved in college, the more agency I felt to make an impact,” shared Cara. Now, Cara is making change at a global scale! Hanesbrands is an international parent company of many brands. In sustainability, they focus on people, planet, and product. Cara works on the planet pillar, so she analyzes data focused on energy, emissions, water, and waste. She spends most of her time working on the company’s zero-waste-to-landfill goals and working towards science-based targets for reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain and across the entire lifecycle of products. Something particularly exciting for Cara has been working with the Champion Sustainability Fund at UNC, through which members of Hanesbrands and Sustainable Carolina review energy efficiency project submissions. Through this program, she has loved staying connected with UNC and even got to speak to a class about the fund. I’m excited to see the impact Cara continues to make. When we are talking about environmental issues, whether with friends or in mass media, we should use the terms that most effectively encourage our audience to care about the environment and act to protect it. The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) recently studied the terms that Americans use to refer to “carbon emissions.” It tested the difference in reactions to the following terms: “greenhouse gas emissions,” “carbon emissions,” and “carbon pollution.” It found that the latter two terms are better for getting Americans to understand climate impacts even if the first is technically more correct since it is inclusive of greenhouse gases besides carbon. YPCCC also compared the effectiveness of the terms “climate change” and “extreme weather.” In summary, the better term to use varied by the audience. “Climate change” was more likely than “extreme weather” to encourage actions to prepare for climate change among politically liberal audiences. “Extreme weather” was a better option for encouraging conservative audiences to take action, like creating emergency preparedness kits. Moreover, public opinion analyst Frank Luntz has shared terms that focus groups have shown to encourage people to take climate action: My takeaway from these recommendations is that we should focus on terms that are positive (like “solving”) and avoid terms that are overused (like “state of the art”). It is certain that climate change has negative impacts and some of those impacts are already happening, so it makes sense to use “consequences” rather than “threats.” The best terms can be very specific for different purposes and audiences, so these recommendations are not to say that you should never use the above “lose” terms.
Most surprising to me is “principles and priorities” being better than “values.” I have studied the importance of connecting climate change to people’s values, and now I may switch the terminology that I typically use to match that recommendation. Do any of these “use” terms surprise you? Last spring I had the exciting opportunity to take one of the first cellular agriculture courses in the world!
The class largely focused on cultivated meat, which is a meat-like product grown from animal cells (the definition of meat, and whether cultivated meat can be called meat, is debatable). You probably know that meat production is a major contributor to climate change and other environmental problems. As a class speaker, Amy Huang of the Good Food Institute said industrial animal agriculture accounts for about 20% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. It significantly contributes to land use, water consumption, nutrient runoff, and biodiversity loss. Production of lab-grown meat can be more sustainable by releasing less greenhouse gases and using much less land and water. It can also increase food security as the world population increases and the need for protein rises in the coming decades. Unlike plant-based meat that has gained popularity in recent years, lab-grown meat is not yet available in stores. However, it reached a milestone in November. The U.S. FDA gave safety clearance to Upside Foods for its lab-grown chicken, which is the first time the FDA has cleared lab-grown meat. This is a big deal since regulation has been a key challenge for the cultivated meat industry (safety first, of course). Other challenges that remain for increasing lab-grown meat include the high production costs and getting it to seem close enough to “real meat” for the public to accept it. Many people will want their cultivated meat to have a similar taste and texture to “real meat.” They also may want to be able to cook it the same way as they would any other meat. Language will be an important part of marketing cultivated meat and helping consumers overcome hesitancies to try a new food product. People may be more keen on trying “cultivated meat” or “alternative proteins” than “lab-grown meat” or “fake meat.” Emphasizing environmental benefits and connecting climate change to people’s values (like saving money and helping others) could be a key way to influence some people to eat these new meat products. Would you consider eating meat grown in a lab? Share why or why not in the comments! If you are looking for a hobby that helps the earth, others, and yourself, consider volunteering at a community garden! I began volunteering at community gardens in high school and think there are several reasons that you should try it out if you haven’t already.
You are helping the environment by promoting eating locally. Transportation accounts for about one-fifth of carbon emissions in the food industry. By reducing the transportation of food, you can reduce air pollution and carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. Next, you are helping your community. Community gardens often provide fresh food to people without reliable access to affordable food. For instance, Carolina Community Garden provides fruit and vegetables to UNC’s lower wage employees. There are personal benefits, too! Volunteering provides an opportunity to meet new people in your community. You may be assigned tasks with a couple people. Shoveling compost or picking vegetables together provides a chance to chat. Volunteering at community gardens at UNC allowed me to meet students in other departments. You can also bring your friends and get to spend time with them while doing a unique activity. Gardening can be relaxing and good for your mental health. Some tasks, like weeding and planting seeds, can be a bit tedious but allow you to focus on the simple task in front of you. In some instances, you might be gardening alone (like at a satellite garden for a campus garden). When I watered my residence hall garden during undergrad, I enjoyed peaceful mornings listening to music and podcasts. Plus, if you volunteer regularly, it can be satisfying to see the seeds you plant grow into food. I started a garden at my high school and loved seeing our seeds turn into foods like onions and carrots. You can’t always see the direct impact of your efforts, but you can when you garden. Another benefit of gardening is that you can get a light workout. When you volunteer, you don’t know what tasks you might be assigned and may end up digging holes or pushing a heavy wheelbarrow full of compost. (Of course, you should only do tasks that you are comfortably and physically able to do.) It might not be as intense as a gym workout but is great if you are trying to live a more active lifestyle. Moreover, you get to spend time outside. It’s especially nice to volunteer on a cool fall or warm spring day. Sometimes, you may get to take home some food yourself and enjoy eating local, fresh produce. Once I got to try fennel for the first time. Another time I enjoyed a salsa with some fresh herbs I got to take from a community garden. If you are interested in volunteering, look into options in your community! For UNC students reading this post, a couple great options are Carolina Community Garden and Edible Campus. As some companies pollute and greenwash their efforts to slow climate change, people who care about the future of the planet must hold companies accountable. In March 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rules that would require public companies to share certain information about their climate change responses and greenhouse gas emissions. Some of this information includes how companies are managing risks related to climate change and possible financial impacts of climate-related natural disasters and changes in energy availability.
Many environmental organizations have advocated for implementation of the rules. A letter from 77 organizations, mainly environmental organizations like the Sierra Club, explained that many companies do not voluntarily disclose enough information about their efforts to respond to climate change in order to hold them accountable. Companies may say they are committed to reducing their contributions to climate change but not share specific plans, progress, or emissions metrics. Requiring this information to be public would pressure companies to follow through on commitments to help the environment. More transparency about climate risks would also help investors make informed decisions. However, the First Amendment may limit the government’s ability to compel speech about climate change. Scholars have shared varied views on whether the SEC has the power to require climate disclosures. Some scholars, like Sean Griffith and Justin Hicks, have said that making rules about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions is too far outside the scope of the SEC’s role to protect investors. On the other hand, scholars such as Robert Post believe that the First Amendment should not be used to prevent commercial regulation and that the First Amendment would not prevent the government from requiring disclosure of facts that are important for making investment decisions. The SEC has set this April to finalize its climate disclosure rules. If the SEC does not implement its rules, environmentalists will have to find new ways to further hold companies accountable for climate change. This case may also set a precedent regarding compelled speech as securities litigation around ESG is likely to increase in the coming years, so this is an important case to follow. From heat waves to hurricanes and their inequitable impacts, climate change is already harming our planet and communities. However, it is not a salient news topic in many Americans’ lives. A 2021 Yale Program on Climate Change Communication survey found that just 33% of American adults hear about global warming in the media at least once per week.
At the same time, 58% of Americans reported being alarmed or concerned about climate change in 2021. While many people are aware that the issue is serious, it can feel like the issue is not getting enough attention or action, which might increase feelings of hopelessness and climate anxiety. Fortunately, there is an increasing amount of content about climate change. The Media and Climate Change Observatory, based at University of Colorado Boulder, actually found that 2021 had more climate news than any other year. (Of course, with abundant climate disinformation, not all media about climate change is good.) The New York Times covers several climate change stories per week. I like to receive their regular notifications of climate news, even if the news itself is negative. A recent article featured two climate activists, Bill McKibben and Xiye Bastida, discussing the future of the environmental movement. While The New York Times is behind a paywall, Grist is a great spot to visit for articles centering climate justice. This outlet connects climate change to different topics that matter to audiences. A recent article shared five ways climate change made life more expensive. You could share it with a cost-conscious friend who is open to understanding climate change but not yet particularly engaged with the issue. HEATED is a newsletter by reporter Emily Atkin. It holds companies and politicians accountable for their contributions to climate change and climate disinformation. I’d recommend subscribing to it to learn about topics like greenwashing and how you can help the climate crisis. Moreover, I was excited to see a climate reporter, Liz MacLaughlin, start working at my local news station, WRAL. The station commonly covers climate stories on topics like clean energy and sea level rise in the Outer Banks. These sources are just a few of many places to learn about climate change. I recommend you look at these resources and share them with friends to help them stay informed as well as equipped to advocate for climate solutions themselves. Comment below with your favorite sources to keep up-to-date on climate stories and solutions! We have no chance of saving our earth. We should not proclaim that There is hope for a sunnier future. When people try so many different ways to slow climate change, I see We cannot overcome the problem. It is a lie that Our efforts to slow climate change matter. Read those lines forward and backward. Climate change is serious, but we have so many partial solutions—and many of them are in our own communities! The future of our environment depends on the steps we take now to help it. How is your community taking steps to slow climate change? This week, you have the opportunity to go on a scavenger hunt! Many different characteristics can help cities be sustainable, meaning they are reducing their negative environmental impacts to preserve a healthy environment for the future. Knowing how communities are sustainable is important for at least two reasons. First, it can show people what their communities are doing right, which can create hope and show that slowing climate change is possible. Second, it can show areas for improvement so people know solutions to advocate for when discussing climate change with other residents. The following list includes characteristics of sustainable cities. You could physically travel to find these characteristics or look them up online. A form of transportation other than a car Some examples of relatively sustainable transportation (compared to individual cars) are public transportation and greenways or paths for walking and biking. I am fortunate to have a fairly reliable bus system where I live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It allows me to mostly avoid using a car. Clean energy sources Some communities have visible solar panels or windmills. These renewable energy sources contribute less to climate change compared to coal and gas. Perhaps residents have solar panels on their homes. Solar arrays could blanket fields in some areas. Electric vehicle charging stations Electric vehicles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money over time compared to gas vehicles. However, they may not be useful if residents cannot find conveniently located charging stations. Energy efficiency measures Reducing energy usage lowers greenhouse gas emissions. For example, communities could have LED lights and buildings that have been retrofitted to use less energy for heating and cooling. Urban farming Urban farming refers to growing food in highly populated areas. Examples are community gardens and vertical farming, when crops are grown in layers stacked on top of one another. Urban farming can make affordable food more accessible. It can also cut carbon emissions from transporting food. Urban forests Urban forests are made of trees and shrubs in highly populated areas. These trees can reduce heat, which can save energy, as well as trap carbon dioxide that would contribute to climate change if in the atmosphere. Waste management centers Where do trash, recycling, and even composted materials go after leaving homes? Find the facilities as part of the scavenger hunt. Trash and food waste can emit greenhouse gases, so it is important to have government agencies help with disposing waste responsibly. Reflection Hopefully, some of these features of sustainable communities were not too challenging to find. Which ones are common in your community? In what ways does your community need to improve to become more sustainable? Advocating for and creating change in our own communities, where we can see the impacts of our efforts, can give us hope for slowing climate change.
Ka-ching! Money is powerful, and the ways we shop—particularly for clothes—can help us live more sustainably and support businesses with sustainable practices. Shopping sustainably can even save us money in these times of high inflation. Plus, we can more effectively communicate about the environment when we align our actions, like how we dress, with our words, like advocating for slowing climate change. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of carbon emissions (which cause climate change) and 20% of wastewater globally. Another problem with the fashion industry is its use of tiny synthetic fibers called microfibers. About half a million tons of microfibers end up in the ocean every year. Fish and other sea creatures can eat these microfibers, which can eventually get in human diets and cause health problems like cancer. People can help combat these effects by reducing clothing production and supporting companies that are producing clothing sustainably—that means the companies are taking actions like lowering their carbon emissions and water usage so that they have less negative environmental impacts. Three main ways to dress sustainably are to buy second-hand clothes, rent clothes, and buy from environmentally friendly companies. Share the following tips with other people to help them fight climate change with their wallets. Buy second-hand clothes This step is fairly simple and can save people money! For example, the same pair of jeans might cost $10 at a thrift store but $50 at a traditional retailer. When people buy second-hand clothes, they are preventing old clothes from being sent to landfills and reducing the need to produce new clothes. Even if the clothing was not made sustainably, at least it is being worn longer. Rent clothes Renting is a great option for people who need clothes for one-time-only occasions, like weddings and dances. Rent the Runway is one company that allows members to regularly rent clothes. It allows them to constantly transform their wardrobes and styles! Buy from environmentally friendly companies This action can be quite tricky. Companies can greenwash, or advertise themselves as more environmentally friendly than is true. Consumers should check which companies have clear sustainability goals and list specific actions they are taking to reach those goals. These companies should share measurable progress. A couple environmentally friendly companies are Allbirds and Athleta. How can companies avoid greenwashing? I recently answered this question when I held an Instagram Live conversation with Lynn Yap, an entrepreneur, attorney, and author of The Altruistic Capitalist. We discussed ways that individuals and businesses can take steps to slow climate change.
Yap and I speak on Instagram Live on March 15, 2022, to discuss ways that individuals and businesses can use their voices and power to slow climate change.
Watch the whole video here! (Also, you can read Yap’s blog post about my tips for environmental communication.)
When it comes to living and dressing sustainably, you do not need to be perfect. Instead, take some of these steps to add sustainable items to your closet and create a sustainable wardrobe over time. What is one tip you will keep in mind next time you decide to get new clothes? |
Welcome to my blog! It is a combination of posts from my strategic writing (spring 2022) and personal branding (spring 2023) courses at UNC. I hope you will enjoy reading the posts and learning about the environment and communication.
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