When I first saw this video produced by WWF Canada, I thought “that’s so clever.” But when I watched it again, I thought “that’s so disappointing.” Bottom line here: You have to know a lot about global warming already to get anything from this little stunt. It’s preaching to the choir, and it won’t win over many converts to our point of view on the problem.
It states a true fact — and illustrates it in a snazzy way. But the billboard completely fails to address two crucial questions that everyday citizens ask themselves when confronted with an environmental problem:
How does it affect me?
If you are totally clueless that sea level rise threatens inhabited areas before you see the billboard, you will still be totally clueless after you see the billboard. And many citizens are clueless about this.
What can I do about it?
If you don’t already know that you can do something about this before you see the billboard, you still won’t know that you could do something after you see the billboard. The statement on the billboard now is so matter-of-fact that it somehow implies inevitability.
If it was my billboard, I’d slap a picture of a home or a school on there, that would slowly succumb to the rising waters, to illustrate that this problem will affect you. And then I’d replace the factual-but-meaningless statement that “Ocean levels are rising faster than ever” with something more empowering or action oriented, like:
“You can stop this. Learn how: http://saveourclimate.cn”
Almost there, WWF Canada. Please try again.
Chalk one up for digital organizing, Florida activist Joy Towles Ezell and her allies have beaten back, at least for now, a proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in Taylor County, Florida. The company announced it was suspending work on the plant pending the outcome of Governor Crist’s energy policy deliberations.
I interviewed Joy about how she used a suite of listservs to rally her neighbors and hound the corporation just a few weeks ago.
I’ve got to wonder about the Florida governor, though. He could have issued statement praising the company and used words that work that appeal to all Florida voters, like this:
“The company has made a responsible choice. Suspending this plant allows us to plan ahead, and to invest in clean and safe energy.”
But instead, he said this:
“We’re obviously moving in a different direction and I think we need to continue to explore solar, wind, nuclear.”
Nuclear? Really? Nuclear? I expect Joy and a few of her friends just might set up another listserv….
There’s only a modest amount of information available on Americans’ priorities for water during a shortage, but the findings are reasonably consistent, so watch today’s video to see how nature stacks up against humans. The results might surprise you but the reasons for them won’t: it’s that familiar mix of altruism and ignorance at play once again.
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Do you have information on this point that I don’t? Leave a comment here or send me an email at eric dot eckl at water words that work dot com. Thanks.
What do Las Vegas magicians Penn & Teller have to do with global warming, the Missouri River water wars, Will Ferrell, and President Bush’s ranch in Crawford? Watch today’s episode to find out. We’ll explore the downsides of — and alternatives to — the term “instream flow” and discuss the peril and promise of exaggeration during environmental controversies.
To warm your blood up a bit, check out this old poll I found… what do you think those numbers are today?
Source: Current Trends in Public Opinion on the Environment, Belden Russonello & Stewart, 1996
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