Overview

Embed messages about climate change into a variety of existing communications channels, such as weathercasting and entertainment vehicles.

Recent posts | Participants | Objectives | News | Related Iniatives

Objective

  • Weathercasting. Every day, 200 million people in America watch the weather report. For 80 percent of these people, it is their only connection with a scientific communications vehicle. Weather reporting should go a step further in connecting weather events to climate change in a scientifically credible and engaging way. Efforts should be made to reach out to the major broadcast and entertainment & advertising 163 Internet weather report outlets and at the American Meteorological Association to increase reportage on climate change.
  • Entertainment.Organizations such as the Environmental Media Association are already promoting environmental messaging in the entertainment world. These efforts should be supported, funded and extended to ensure that the climate change message is embedded in existing entertainment vehicles.

News

The Weather Channel launches a new TV series, “The Climate Code”, October 1, 2006. A new climate change website has also been developed by The Weather Channel, “One Degree”. One Degree’s mission will be to present an open, balanced dialogue around the scientific facts concerning global climate change. We will provide a place where sound science can be heard and a forum where all people can question and debate. The site will leverage what the Internet does best; an exchange of rational ideas from both experts and non-experts with questions. In addition, One Degree will look at how climate change may already be affecting the lives of individuals, families, communities and businesses.

One Degree is part of Climate Watch, a broader initiative from The Weather Channel. Through Climate Watch, The Weather Channel intends to:

  • Educate viewers about climate change.
  • Provide factual information to help viewers understand the impact of climate change on their lives.
  • Inspire a sense of responsibility for the future of our planet.
  • Empower viewers to take action and make a difference.

Related Initiatives

  • The Weather Channel has recently produced a TV series, “The Climate Code” and a website on climate change, “One Degree”. One Degree’s mission will be to present an open, balanced dialogue around the scientific facts concerning global climate change. We will provide a place where sound science can be heard and a forum where all people can question and debate. The site will leverage what the Internet does best; an exchange of rational ideas from both experts and non-experts with questions. In addition, One Degree will look at how climate change may already be affecting the lives of individuals, families, communities and businesses.

    One Degree is part of Climate Watch, a broader initiative from The Weather Channel. Through Climate Watch, The Weather Channel intends to:

    • Educate viewers about climate change.
    • Provide factual information to help viewers understand the impact of climate change on their lives.
    • Inspire a sense of responsibility for the future of our planet.
    • Empower viewers to take action and make a difference.

  • Clear Vision Institute - ClearVision’s mission is to harness the power of commercial entertainment media for creating positive social change by applying a strategy that has been enormously successful in other countries known as entertainment-education (EE). Our goal is to mainstream the EE strategy in “Hollywood” as a proven means for helping solve a wide range of crucial social problems we are facing in America.

    Because of the urgent crisis of global warming, ClearVision aims to be the catalyst for a comprehensive EE initiative, with a primetime TV drama series at its hub, in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Our goal is to coordinate the design and implementation of this campaign through the pioneering collaboration of top Hollywood professionals, leading climate change experts/groups, and our team of EE experts.

  • EarthGauge - Program that provides free environmental news and tips to TV weather forecasters, in the form of short ‘factoids’ tailored to the forecast for that particular day and location. For example, when rain is forecast, the item might be a reminder to get your car tuned up because leaked fluid eventually reaches, and pollutes, the water supply.
  • The Environmental Media Association (EMA) mobilizes the entertainment industry in a global effort to educate people about environmental issues and inspire them into action. EMA weaves environmental messages within entertainment programming and utilizing “celebrity” for positive role modeling
  • National Environmental Trust - The National Environmental Trust is a non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 1994 to inform citizens about environmental problems and how they affect our health and quality of life. NET’s public education campaigns use modern communication techniques and the latest scientific studies to translate complex environmental issues for citizens. Furthermore, NET works in states across the country to localize the impacts of national problems, as well as to highlight opportunities for Americans to engage in the policymaking process.
  • Tree Media Group - Film, video and website production company. Has created accessible yet substantial short films on climate change and oceans featuring Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio. Currently producing five short climate change films for the Weather Channel. Web projects for various major environmental and voter organizations, NASA, PBS.

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