Bowman and Oreskes Discuss Strategies to Motivate Public to Respond to Climate Change

SIGNAL HILL, CA October 30, 2010 (Press-News.org) Appearing on David Gibbons' In Discussion program, Tom Bowman, president of Bowman Design Group and Bowman Global Change, and Dr. Naomi Oreskes, professor of History and Science Studies at University of California, San Diego, discuss the role of social scientists and climate change communication experts in informing the public about climate risks and responses. Both Bowman and Oreskes say the politicization of the climate change discussion has distracted the public from focusing on meaningful solutions and adaptation strategies. They recommend the adoption of a variety of new communication strategies to engage America's diverse public.

Bowman calls on the science community to create new forums that capture the public's attention to spread accurate climate change information in more compelling ways. He points out that climate change "deniers" have adopted modern brand marketing methods that overpower the nineteenth century education strategies used by the scientific community. "Bringing experts together from widely diverse backgrounds is key to improving communications. It is imperative that we collaborate to give Americans the resources they need to participate in constructive decision-making about climate change risks and solutions as quickly as possible," says Bowman.

Oreskes says that the public has been intentionally deceived about the real risks of ignoring climate change by players who have the most to lose if fossil fuels are replaced as a primary energy source. Research for her book Merchants of Doubt indicates that global warming was accurately predicted by scientists in 1965, and that there have been years of inaction since 1988, when Congress introduced the first legislation calling for the control of greenhouse gas emissions. "It really feels like we have wasted two decades but it's not too late to act. The crucial issue now is to focus on engineering solutions and adaptation strategies," says Oreskes.

Both Bowman and Oreskes agree that implementing smaller, more immediate solutions, such as energy efficiency, should be our first priority but concede the public is more excited by new green technologies. Bowman cites the simple changes he made at Bowman Design Group that cut his firm's greenhouse gas emissions by 65% in just two years, and says it's important to get the energy efficiency message out to the public. "The first step is to motivate people to take advantage of the opportunities that are right in front of them," says Bowman.

The program can be heard in its entirety on Voice America's international broadcast network using the link http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=49435.

Bowman Global Change helps organizations make sustainable transformations. Combining the expertise of renowned scientists, behavioral scientists, and business and government leaders, Bowman Global Change facilitates transitions through education, analysis, planning, communication, and consulting projects. The company is lead by Tom Bowman, an expert in green business, who has contributed his expertise to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Public Health Association and numerous exhibit industry groups. Bowman contributes a monthly "Ask Mr. Green" column to EXHIBITOR Online. Contact Bowman Global Change at 562.494.3400 or at http://www.bowmanglobalchange.com.

Dr. Naomi Oreskes is a professor of history and science studies at the University of California, San Diego. Her latest book, "Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming," co-authored with Erik M. Conway, tells an important story about the misuse of science to mislead the public on matters ranging from the risks of smoking to the reality of global warming. Her study "Beyond the Ivory Tower," published in Science, was a milestone in the fight against global warming denial and was cited by the UK Royal Society in its Guide to Facts and Fiction on Climate Change.