Climate Action Chat

Have you heard or seen stories in mainstream media or social media about COP 28, the United Nations Climate Change Meetings in Dubai, UAE? What mainstrean media or social media platforms are reporting on COP 28? Do mainstream media and social media platforms cover the climate crisis adequately? Where do you get information about the climate crisis?

I am re-posting a post I shared with COMM 114 students last winter term...it warrants repeating here. I am writing this from Bonn, Germany in March 2023 where I am participating in the 23rd Meeting of the Adaptation Committee (AC) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The AC members have been discussing the Committee's efforts to communicate about adaptation, both generally and about the work of the Adaptation Committee. I participated in this discussion, noting that a good communication effort involves four basic steps. First, what is the purpose and message of the communication - inform and educate, shared learning, joint problem solving? Second, who are the people involved - the audience(s) and the authors? Third, what is the process of and platform for communication - social media, face to face, mediated (e.g, you tube), blog, webinar, virtual? Fourth, what is the desired pproduct or outcome of the communication activity? These Ps - Purpose/Messa...

Apparently there are 70,000 people at these UN climate change meetings in Dubai. The numbers have not been published, but just walking around the venue offers evidence of younger generations' significangt participation. One can hope that the elders (including my generation, the Baby Boomers) listen to and take seriously the ideas and concerns of young people. Do you think that policy makers are listening to Generations Y, Z, and...? Here is an article for reference. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67521051

One of the many significant issues being discussed at COP 28 focuses on the future of fossil fuels. A number of countries - including the USA - want language in a Dubai Declaration to state that the nations of the world agree to "PHASE OUT" fossil fuels by a specific year (e.g., 2050). Other countries - such as Saudi Arabia and China - want language that states "PHASE DOWN." What do you think? Can the world function effectively beyond the significant use of fossil fuels? Read this article as a reference. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67599925