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Climate Change Communication & Narrative Strategies
- "Leading to a Climate of Hope"
"This is the most vigorous methane eruption in modern human history,"
Dr. John Kessler
"The
Gulf of Mexico Disaster" - The Deep Water Horizon MACADO 252 Disaster
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill (also referred to as
the BP oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill or the Macondo blowout) is a massive ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico,
now considered the largest offshore spill in U.S. history.Some estimates placed it by late May or early June as among the
largest oil spills in the world with tens of millions of gallons spilled to date. The spill stems from a sea floor 10,000
foot deep oil gusher (MC252) that followed the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion. The explosion killed
11 platform workers and injured 17 others. The gusher, now estimated by the quasi-official Flow Rate Technical Group to be
flowing at 20,000 to 40,000 barrels (840,000 to 1,700,000 US gallons; 3,200,000 to 6,400,000 litres) of crude oil per day,
originates from a deepwater wellhead 5,000 feet (1,500 m) below the ocean surface. The exact spill flow rate is
uncertain in part because BP has refused to allow independent scientists to perform accurate measurements and is a matter
of ongoing debate. The resulting oil slick covers a surface area of at least 2,500 square miles (6,500 km2), with
the exact size and location of the slick fluctuating from day to day depending on weather conditions.
Scientists have also reported immense
underwater plumes of oil not visible at the surface. Experts fear that the spill will result in an environmental disaster,
with extensive impact already on marine and wildlife habitats. The spill has also damaged the Gulf of Mexico fishing and tourism
industries. There have been a variety of ongoing efforts to stem the flow of oil at the wellhead. Crews have been working
to protect hundreds of miles of beaches, wetlands and estuaries along the northern Gulf coast, using skimmer ships, floating
containment booms, anchored barriers, and sand-filled barricades along shorelines. The U.S. Government has named BP as the
responsible party in the incident, and officials have said the company will be held accountable for all cleanup costs resulting
from the oil spill.
Tom Bowman - Bowman Design Group & Bowman Global Change
Tom Bowman is one of the premier interpreters of global change,
climate and energy science, and green business strategies. He is a social entrepreneur, adviser, communication strategist,
and science interpreter. As President of Bowman Design Group, he led award-winning climate exhibition designs for the Marian
Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences and Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Dr. Cleve Stevens is an established
authority on the psychology of leadership and the technology of leadership and organizational transformation and has been
formally engaged in the field of leadership development for more than 20 years. He has served as an adviser and leadership
development consultant to top business leaders and Fortune 500 companies in North America, Europe and Asia. These two experts
bring a combination of leadership and communication experience to the forefront of our world's demand for better knowledge.
Presented by David Gibbons this hour long program raises ideas and methodologies from two highly respected individuals in
their fields with a profound set of resulting synergistic values and solutions.
“Scientists can't make policy; they can only provide sound science as an input to
wise policy.”
–Dr. Richard Somerville, San Diego Union Tribune. February 14th, 2007 Scientists
want everyone—policymakers, business leaders, news editors, entertainers, and the public—to make wise choices
about climate change. Bowman helps them by explaining real science in clear, simple, and engaging ways. There is
no escaping the fact that people simplify; it’s human nature. His approach is to help people simplify more effectively.
By illuminating the most important ideas and engineering key insights, he helps non-scientists understand and employ
scientific results to make better decisions. Bowman has set new standards for effective communication through work
with scientists from the National Academy of Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Aquarium of the Pacific, NOAA,
and the electric utility industry. Through these collaborations, he have delivered authentic results, without bias, in
ways that everyone can understand and use.
Bowman offers a unique kind of resource. His company is well versed in climate science, public attitudes
and marketing communications, and experienced with the creative process. For many years, they have told cultural and scientific
stories to business decision-makers and public audiences through video programs and interactive media. They know the science,
the politics, and where people stand on the issues. And they know how to work with creative teams.
Demonstrating
cost-effective solutions to the climate crisis is also vital, and Bowman has tested the business case. The results speak for
themselves: 65% lower carbon emissions in just two years, a payback of just 15 months, with an ongoing annual cost savings.
Any company can replicate these results through a simple step-by-step program.
"We can inform.
We can also inspire. Together, we can get the message right." — Bowman Global Change
“Storytelling and creative license doesn’t always mix with hard science. Working with
Bowman provides the synthesis of creative thought and knowledge that engages an audience…making science understandable
and fun to work with!”
John Lawrence
President
Image Work Communications
Pat O' Brien: Veteran Investigative Journalist
CEO/Founder,
Pat has over 30 years of experience in advertising and marketing. He also worked for Burger King Corporation and was sought
after by Wendy's to do the "Where's the Beef" campaign in 1983. He worked for two of the top
three advertising agencies in Florida, managing 100's of advertising account budgets; he secured the Florida Keys and Key
West account for Tinsley Advertising, Miami, FL Mr. O'Brien was responsible for the advertising budget of the Port of Miami
and worked diligently to help make the port become the "Cruise Capital of the World!" In the
start-up, days of Miami based Lennar Corporation Mr. O'Brien worked as VP Marketing Director for the advertising agency that
handled the account. O'Brien has owned and operated a $25 million dollar advertising agency in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
As a broadcast professional, he has worked in TV and radio news, and hosted many talk radio programs; and worked
for Clear Channel Communications providing news to 55 radio stations
in Florida. Mr. O'Brien has worked diligently for the last several years to learn the Indoor Air Quality & Surface Protection
Industry. O'Brien is a "Certified Mold Inspector"; that led him to make the decision to start a company to fight
the "Cross Contamination of Infectious Diseases" including MRSA, AIDS, E. coli, Salmonella, and H1N! "Swine
Flu" and over 100 viruses, bacteria, and molds. Mr. O'Brien formed AirTech Solutions, Inc. a Sub-Chapter "S"
90% Disabled Vietnam Veteran Owned Florida Corporation in October of 2006. The company has trained a network of 200 indoor
air quality professionals throughout the United States. The firm tested various methods of creating safe "allergen free"
indoor environments.
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