Communication tools for planning

Joint planning in a project team is easier with the use of simple visuals. Here the tools to kick of a discussion on how to plan the work for a Natura 2000 Prioritized Action Framework. Similar visuals have been developed to define milestones and the main phases of the project.

Strategic communication

Strategic planning of communication on Prezi

Make it Possible

Climate change awareness

This report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey – Climate Change in the American Mind – conducted by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. Some findings:
Nearly all Americans (92%) say the president and the Congress should make developing sources of clean energy a “very high” (31%), “high” (38%), or “medium” priority (23%). Very few say it should be a low priority (8%).
A large majority (77%) say global warming should be a “very high” (18%), “high” (25%), or “medium” priority (34%) for the president and Congress. One in four (23%) say it should be a low priority.
Six in ten Americans (61%) say the U.S. should reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions regardless of what other countries do.

Consumer change

The Regeneration Consumer Study is an initiative of the Regeneration Roadmap. The online survey looks at consumer attitudes, motivations and behaviors around sustainable consumption among 6,224 respondents in six major international markets (Brazil, China, Germany, India, United Kingdom and United States). Fielded in September and October 2012, the study represents a holistic exploration of sustainability market trends, priorities and engagement pathways, including information on sustainable consumption, trust, transparency, social issues, behavior change, consumer collaboration, participation and advocacy actions.

One of the conclusions of the study is that the consumer segment 'Aspirationals' offer the key to sustainable consumption. They seek both sustainability and consumption. They are looking for brands to provide solutions that both improve their lives and serve the larger society. And, because they are trendsetters in emerging markets like China and India, we believe business has the opportunity to shape a new consumerism by meeting their aspirations and desires with more sustainable products and lifestyle choices.

Nature priority areas

Words matter, not only because of their dictionary meaning, but also because of their association. The word 'protected' is a major communication issue because of its negative associations: restriction, limits on my personal freedom, prohibition of activities that we always traditionally undertook here etc. A global campaign to raise support for parks and protected areas may therefore not be taken serious by the intended audiences. The word conservation areas is already better, although associated maybe too much with 'conservative' and 'exclusiveness' and not vey useful in many developing countries. 

I would go for positioning protected areas and parks as “nature priority areas” or something like that. Or look for other ways to convey the message that commercial use, industrial zoning and urbanization needs to take place in  some places, but nature must have some degree of priority in other places. The extent of that priority can vary e.g. as described in the WCPA categories. 

Communication stories

Communication is a powerful agent of behavior change. Successful local initiatives use networking, knowledge exchange, technology and media to change attitudes, communicate incentives, catalyze collective action, and replicate best practices. This is lesson 7 of twelve lessons learned in The Power of Local Action, Lessons of Ten Years of the Equator Prize.