Knowledge Building Series:
Communicating Climate Change
X-/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
2009
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 8
Part 2 of the Climate Change Knowledge Building Series includes
tips for communicating climate change to others. Understanding
climate change can be a challenge because it is complex and
technical, but not intuitive. Because climate change is a global
phenomenon, people may not necessarily see changes where they
live. The key is to learn how to communicate this complex issue to
various stakeholders in ways that are understandable and translate
into action. First, you must know your audience.
Knowing Your Audience
Regardless of your audience, you might start by explaining basic terminol-
ogy like climate change, global warming, greenhouse gases and the Green-
house Gas Effect, as well as the difference between weather and climate.
These terms are often used interchangeably and incorrectly when talking
about climate change. Part 1 of this series, "Climate Change 1 01" includes
some definitions and there are other good resources listed on the last page.
Sample Messages
Elementary & Middle School Students: Climate change may be a big problem, but there are many little things we
can do to make a difference.
High School, College Students and Adults: Many greenhouse gases come from things we do everyday, like drive
cars and use electricity. These things are not wrong, we just have to be smart about it and take actions to offset our
emissions of carbon dioxide.
Community Leaders: You can show leadership by doing a greenhouse gas inventory, developing a climate change
action plan, and considering how your community can adapt to a changing climate.
Businesses: Tools and technologies exist to substantially cut greenhouse gases. Making changes to your facility and
processes to use less energy may save you money in the long run.
A Better Way to Communicate
Here are some tips when talking about climate change:
Explain to your audience what they can do to mitigate climate change
Use diagrams to explain technical concepts
Use language that the general public understands and define key terms
Use appropriate terminology
Address misconceptions and truths
Don't get into a debate - try to understand diverse perspectives
Separate the science from the politics
Convey that we can use methods and technologies that already exist
Explain that there is a preponderance of evidence from many different
scientific disciplines
Misconception:
Climate change is a new issue
Truth:
The greenhouse effect was first de-
scribed in theoretical terms by a
Swedish researcher in the late
1 800s. In the 1930s, scientists ob-
served that parts of the globe had
warmed during the previous half-
century. Then in the early 1 960s,
scientists discovered that the level of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
was rising. Researchers later found
a strong relationship between the
increasing levels of carbon dioxide
and the average global tempera-
ture.

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Words Matter!
The terms that scientists use often have a different meaning to the public.
That's another reason why thoughtful communication is so important!
Scientific Term
Enhance
Aerosol
Positive Trend
Positive Feedback
Radiation
Theory
Uncertainty
Risk
Scheme
What is Means to the Public Instead Use
Improve, make better
A spray can
A good thing
A good thing
Cancer therapy, X-rays
Opinion, speculation
Might not happen
Low probability
Plot to deceive or harm
Intensify, Increase
Small particle
Upward trend
Self-reinforcing cycle
Energy
Scientific understanding
Range of possibility
Threat
Scenario or plan
Source: Improving How Scientists Communicate About Climate Change, Susan
Joy Hassel. Climate Communication
Key Concepts to Communicate About Climate
Change:
•	Climate change is a symptom of unsustainable development
•	The cost of inaction over the long run will be far greater than the cost of action
•	The longer we wait to act, the costlier it will be and could potentially become
irreversible
•	Addressing climate change will have many benefits, including enhanced security
and a stronger economy
•	Actions taken today will impact life on Earth for generations to come
•	Climate change is a "threat multiplier" - it may not directly cause environmental
problems, but it can make them worse
•	Climate change will require actions from individuals and society as a whole,
through mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Mitigation: Actions to reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases,
or remove them from the atmos-
phere. These actions will help to
reduce future climate change.
Adaptation: Reactions to
changes that have already oc-
curred, and preparations for fu-
ture changes that are antici-
pated. These actions will support
communities, ecosystems, and
wildlife.
Top 5 Warmest Years
Worldwide Since
The 1890's
1)	2005
2)	1998
3)	2002
4)	2003
5)	2006
Source: NASA Goddard Institute
for Space Studies
Misconception:
The primary cause of climate change is
the sun's variability.
Truth:
Solar variations do affect climate, but
they are not the only factor and have
a lesser affect than greenhouse gases
produced by human activities. It is
extremely unlikely (<5%) that the
global pattern of warming during the
past half century can be explained
without external forcing (the influence
of human-caused greenhouse gases),
and very unlikely that it is due to
known natural external causes alone,
according to the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change. The warm-
ing occurred in both the ocean and the
atmosphere, and took place at a time
when natural external forcing factors
would likely have produced cooling.
Misconception:
The hottest year on record was 1998,
and it has been cooling ever since.
Truth:
1 998 was an exceptionally warm
year because of a strong El Nino
event, and subsequent years were
cooler until 2005. 2005 was the
warmest year since the late 1 800s,
according to NASA scientists. 1 998,
2002, 2003, and 2006 followed as
the next four warmest years. Of con-
cern is the upward trend in average
global temperatures in the last 50
years.
Misconception:
If we can't accurately predict what the
weather will do in the next few days,
how can we really predict the climate
in the future?
Truth:
Climate is not weather. Weather is
short term and local, while climate is
long term and global. A season with
cold temperatures or high levels of
precipitation does not negate the
buildup of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere and their influence on our
baseline climate. This influence is pre-
dictable, and includes increasing
global average temperatures.
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 8
Making a Case for Businesses
Industrial and commercial energy use accounts for nearly
30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions pri-
marily result from electricity use, product transportation, burn-
ing fossil fuels to power boilers and produce steam, and using
gasoline to power vehicle fleets. Some industrial processes
also produce greenhouse gases.
Improving energy efficiency not only reduces greenhouse gas
emissions into the atmosphere, it is good for a corporation's
bottom line, as many U.S. businesses face rising energy costs.
Energy Starฎ offers tools and resources to help organiza-
tions improve their energy performance. For example, Port-
folio Manager helps companies establish the current energy
use of their buildings and determine reasonable energy sav-
ings goals. Energy Star also has resources for small busi-
nesses.
Some forms of energy generation are more polluting than
others. EPA's Green Power Partnership is a voluntary pro-
gram that supports the purchase of green power by offering
expert advice, technical support, tools and resources. Green
power is electricity produced from a subset of renewable
resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and low-
impact hydro. Buying green power is one of the easiest and
most effective ways to improve your organization's environ-
mental performance.
Leading businesses and corporations are evaluated on many
aspects of their performance, including product quality, ethics
or standing in the community. These leaders can provide a
powerful example promoting greenhouse gas reduction
strategies through corporate incentives such as financial assis-
tance for employees who use public transportation, car-
pooling and even telecommuting. Other "green" practices
such as recycling and purchasing products made with recycled
materials also contribute to emissions reductions.
Did You Know?
About one-sixth of all
the electricity generated
in the US is used to air
condition bui dings.
Did You Know?
Current national recycling ef-
forts reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 49.9 million
metric tons of carbon equiva
lent, which is equivalent to
the annual GHG emissions
from 39.6 million passenger
cars.
Making a Case for Individuals
Making a few small changes in your home and yard can lead
to big reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and save
money. Examples include:
•	Replace the conventional bulbs in your 5 most frequently
used light fixtures with Energy Star bulbs;
•	When buying new appliances, electronics or windows,
look for Energy Star labeled products;
•	Have your heating and cooling equipment tuned annually
and clean air filters regularly;
•	Seal air leaks and add more insulation to your home to
save energy;
•	Use electricity that is generated from renewable energy
sources such as wind and the sun. You can buy green
power or you can modify your house to generate your
own green power;
•	Reducing waste, reusing items and recycling helps con-
serve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse
gases from resource extraction, manufacturing, and dis-
posal;
•	Use a push mower, which, unlike a gas or electric mower,
consumes no fossil fuels and emits no greenhouse gases.
Making a Case for Communities
State and local governments play an important role in reduc-
ing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate
change impacts. EPA supports states and communities in these
activities by providing technical assistance and tools, sharing
best practices, and encouraging innovation.
An important first step is to develop an inventory to under-
stand sources of greenhouse gas emissions. With this informa-
tion, a State or local government can develop a climate
change action plan and implement policies and programs to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include:
•	Implementing energy efficiency measures for government
buildings, including schools and water utilities;
•	Installing equipment that captures energy from sunlight,
wind, water, and other renewable energy sources;
•	Preventing emissions of methane (a powerful greenhouse
gas) through the development of landfill gas energy
projects;
•	Addressing air quality and transportation programs to
reduce fuel use, reduce emissions from fleet vehicles and
support development and use of public transit systems.
Energy
Resources
Living
Habitats
Fresh
Air
'Sustainabilityj
I Stewardship J
Green
Building
Zero
Waste
Protecting
Water
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Knowledge Building Series:
Communicating Climate Change
EPA Climate Change Information
Region 8 Climate Change Website
http: //www.epa.gov/regiori8/
climatechange/
EPA National Climate Change Website
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
Regional Climate Change
Coordinator
Laura Farris
US EPA Region 8 / MC 8P-SA
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202-1 129
farris.laura@epa.gov
303-312-6388 phone
303-312-6341 fax
Resources for Teaching about Climate Change:
Region 8 Environmental Education
http://epa.gov/region8/ee/
Guide for Teachers
http://epa.gov/cli/mtechange/wycd/downloads/
WYCD-SCHOOL.PDF
Climate Change for Kids
http://epa.gov/cli/mtechange/kids/
The Rocky Mountain and Plains Regional Climate
Science Education Collaborative
http://epa.gov/region8/ee/CliaaateEducation.html
USGS Climate Change Lessons
http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/teachers-packets/
globalchange/globalhtml/
Climate Change Education
http://www.climatechangeeducation.org/
Environmental Health Education
http://epa.gov/region8/ee/teachinghenvhealth.html
Resources for Taking Action:
Energy Star
http://wWW.ENERGYSTAR.GOV/
Climate Leaders Program
http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders/
EPA Green Power Partnership
http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/index.htm
A Business Guide to EPA Climate Partnership Programs
http://www.epa.gov/partners2 /
Biz_guide_to_epa_climate_partnerships.pdf
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/
IND_CALCULATOR.HTML
Actions at Home
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/
ACTIONSTEPS.HTML
This publication was developed with assistance from:

Cooperative Institute for Research in
Environmental Sciences
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