Climate change is a challenging topic. It involves numerous variables which display a high degree of uncertainty. It can be controversial and charged with confusing misconceptions. It has also become political and ideological for many of our audiences. This electronic workshop, consisting of five 90-minute web-based seminars was presented in March of 2011 as a starting point for exploring this critical issue.  Our intention was to

• provide a basic foundation for starting to communicate about a changing climate and its implications for our public lands

• draw upon NASA’s extensive climate research to help address common misconceptions

• address specific resources for communicating controversial subjects and demonstrate interpretive/educational products and techniques from the NASA-NPS-USFWS Earth to Sky (ETS) partnership that have become best practices (including exhibits, pod-casts, Jr. Ranger programs and publications)

• provide an abundance of educational and scientific resources for participants to create their own preliminary action plans for communicating climate change at their site.

Each of the five sessions is described below.  Reference materials and recordings are available as indicated.

Pre-Workshop Materials:

1) A good overview document for Climate Impacts in North America is recommended posted at www.globalchange.gov; document: climate-impacts-report.pdf

2) As a pre-workshop requirement, please review the webinar presentation by Dr. Robert Cahalan, Head of NASA Goddard's "Climate and Radiation" Laboratory, (link provided). Dr. Cahaln provided an overview of the science behind climate change during a previous session in January 2011. This presentation will provide a basis for participants to use in beginning their exploration of this issue.  Recording:1-11-11_pre-workshop-webinar_cahalan.mp4,Presentation materials: cahalan101a.pdf, cahalan101b.pdf

EtSe Webinar 1: February 28th, 2011

"Introduction to Earth to Sky (EtS) and Evidence of Climate Change on Public Lands"

Presenters:  John Morris (NPS), Anita Davis (NASA), Sandy Spakoff (FWS), Ruth Paglierani (NASA/Berkeley)

This session provides an introduction to the EtS Community of Practice, an overview of climate science as it relates to public lands, and a more in-depth discussion of the goals and objectives of this electronic workshop. Expectations were defined for participation; action plan templates were provided, and deadlines for submissions defined.  Participants were also introduced to the website and it's interactive features (how to log on and become an active member of the community).

Webinar recording: EtSe_Webinar_2-28-11_Recording.mp4

Webinar materials:  february 28th slides.pdf, ets-e.about.us.final.pdf, energy_socolow_081304.pdf, noc.pdf

EtSe Webinar 2: March 4th, 2011

"The Story of Carbon; The Influence of Humanity on Earth's Climate"

Presenter:  Dr. Peter Griffith, Biospheric Sciences Branch, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. Griffith is the founding director of NASA’s Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Office. Peter has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed papers, published abstracts, and technical reports. He has designed, built, programmed, and deployed computer-controlled in situ oceanographic instrumentation while investigating microbial transformations of dissolved and particulate organic carbon in estuarine and coastal waters.This presentation provides an overview of the Carbon Cycle, and illustrates Human Influences on Climate.

Webinar recording: EtSe 3-4-11 Dr. Peter Griffith Recording

Webinar materials: Griffith_webinar.pdf,  intro slides 3-4-11.pdf, PetersQandA.docx, edit_banana_coal.mp4

EtSe Webinar 3: March 7th, 2011

"Engaging the Audience, Why it Matters and Apprpriate Techniques to Apply"

Presenters:  David Larsen (NPS), Becky Lacome (NPS), Angis Richman (NPS), Sara Melena (NPS)

Power point presentation and panelists from National Park Service discuss current thinking related to communicating controversial issues. Discussion to include: Is there a place for advocacy in interpretive and environmental education programs?

Webinar recording: EtSe Webinar 3-7-11  David Larsen, et al - Recording

Webinar materials: david larsen 3-7-11.pdf, e2se 3 panel-becky.pdf, ets-melena.pdf, e2se panel mar7 arichman.pdf, david larsen 2-2-11 - part 1.mp4, david larsen on persuasion - 2-2-10.mp4, credguide_full-res.pdf, knowledge_across_six_americas.pdf

EtSe Webinar 4: March 9th, 2011

"Communicating about Climate Change; Examples from the Field"

Presenters:  Neil Howk (Apostle Islands), Stephanie Kyriazis (Death Valley), Cathy Curby (Arctic NWR), Will Elder (Golden Gate)

ETS Alumni present products/projects from field sites, including tips and “lessons learned.”

Webinar recording: EtSe Webinar 3-9-11 Recording

Webinar materials:  best practices 3-9-11.pdf, Neil's Slides, arctic refuge booklet.pdf, arctic refuge cc infosheet.pdf, arctic refuge cc projects.pdf, Stephanie's slides, Will's slides, etse_starter_resources.pdf, createimage_feb2010.doc

EtSe Webinar 5: March 23rd, 2011

"Participant Presentations: Action Plans for Communicating Climate Change"

Presenters:

a. Sally Hurlbert – “Islands in the Sky” Video Podcasts

b. Greta Hyland -  Utah Eco-tours – Environmental Adventures

c. Whitney Jenkins – Estuarine Habitats & Shorelines workshop

d. Alison Colwell – Citizen Science Project – Alpine Plant Phenology

e. Nichole Andler – Changing Life in The Arctic Training Video

f. Carla Burnside – Future Impacts on Malheur NWR web-site/posters

g. Carol Pollio – “Climate Change is Now” Video Case Studies

h. Caroline d’Otreppe – Identifying CO2 hands-on activity

i. Monica Magari – Guide to Communicating CC ppt/training tool

j. Rachel Teasdale – Gateway Science Museum traveling trunks

Volunteer participants from this electronic workshop present their action plans for products and programs they're developing about Climate Change.  Many of these are works-in-progress, and will be posted on the workspace of the EtS website as they're completed.

Webinar recording: EtSe Webinar 3-23-11 Recording

Webinar materials:  etse_3-23-11_slides.pdf