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“Climate change is about all of us,” said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. “It’s about everybody…the voices are emerging from every part of society.”
Leiserowitz said he has heard doctors, nurses, members of the clergy and the business community speaking up about climate change in recent years. “They’re calling on our leaders to take action,” he said.
Diana Stricker Photo
Leiserowitz (pictured), who is also a senior research scientist at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, addressed climate change issues at the annual meeting of the Branford Land Trust last month at the Blackstone Memorial Library. The event was the kick-off for the Land Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
“This is an all-hands on deck moment, and we all have a voice,” Leiserowitz said as he talked about ways people could spread the word about climate change. “If there is one thing you can do — talk about it. Break the silence.”
Leiserowitz said the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication conducts scientific research and does public outreach. He said the research explores what people understand and misunderstand about climate change, how they perceive the risk, what policies people support or oppose, and what kinds of behaviors people engage in regarding climate, environment and energy.
“We are geeky scientists. So our ultimate question is answering why. What is the underlying psychological, cultural, or political reasons some people get really engaged with these issues, others are kind of apathetic, and some are downright hostile. Why is that?”
The Yale Program also discusses climate change science and solutions with people in conjunction with governments and the media. In addition, the Yale program conducts a national daily radio program called Yale Climate Connections.
On Pulling Out of Paris Climate Agreement
Leiserowitz addressed the Land Trust prior to President Trump pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Eagle contacted him for his reaction to the president’s decision.
“By pulling out of the Paris Agreement, President Trump has isolated himself from the rest of the world, America’s leading companies (including major oil companies), many US states, a majority of the American public, and even many of his own voters,” he told the Eagle.
Five Big Facts
With Permission
“It would be great, it would be wonderful if everyone in the world could have a course on climate change…. but it’s never going to happen,” said Leiserowitz, adding that most people are just too busy to ask questions.
Leiserowitz said getting information out to the public is challenging, so they boiled it down to “five big facts” that people could easily understand. And then they wrote those ideas into a poem format.
Leiserowitz said research shows that only about half of Americans understand that climate change is mostly human-caused “This is important, because if people don’t understand that it is human-caused, then people say ‘we can’t really do anything about it.’”
He said there is a lot of research and scientific writing, but people don’t read it.
“The only way people come to understand this issue is through the media and when the media doesn’t report on the topic, it’s literally out of sight, out of mind.”
And he said there here have been major efforts to contradict facts about climate change.
“There has been a very active and very well-organized and very well-funded disinformation campaign for decades, undoubtably funded by the fossil fuel industry; and for awhile by the manufacturers, but that’s changed dramatically in recent decades; and by certain free-market orientated think-tanks.”
70 Percent Say Global Warming Happening
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The graph above shows the results of national surveys conducted from November 2008 through November 2016. “About 70 percent of people say climate change is real; 13 say no it’s not. The rest don’t know,” Leiserowitz said in regard to current percentages.
However, although most Americans say global warming is happening, research shows that only 19 percent say they are very worried about it.
“For many people, climate change is a distant problem. Distant in time … or distant in space,” he said.
He often asks audiences what image they visualize when they think about climate change, and the majority say melting ice or glaciers melting in Antartica. And that is backed up by research.
“Melting ice is not a great motivator — it’s far away,” Leiserowitz said.
He said every time there is a media story on global warming, there is an image of melting ice. “But why don’t they show you a picture of a kid with an inhaler? That is just as legitimate of an image and an icon of climate change. Asthma rates are soaring and it’s very much connected to climate change, and yet it’s not something you think of.”
Political and Personal Views
With Permission
Leiserowitz said many Democrats and Independents believe in climate change. And Republicans are increasingly beginning to believe, but that it’s not a priority for action.
“This issue is really highly polarized now,” he said.
Leiserowitz said it will take a collective, coordinated effort to combat global warming, ranging from the efforts of individuals to the endeavors of local, state, federal and global leaders.
“If you don’t believe you can make a difference, you won’t,” he said.
For example, he said there are solutions that most people agree with, like clean energy and the effectiveness of solar panels.
“There are incredible solutions happening around us, right now” he said.
A woman in the audience asked about the best way to talk with friends or family who don’t believe in climate change.
“It’s challenging,” Leiserowitz said. “There are things you can do; there are things you can’t do.” He suggested talking but not being confrontational with family and friends.
He said each of us can be a messenger when talking about climate change. “Who’s the right messenger? You are. There is no silver bullet, there is no white knight. It’s us.”
Land Trust Celebrates 50 Years
Diana Stricker Photo
Prior to Dr. Leiserowitz’ speech, Peter Raymond (pictured), president of the Branford Land Trust, talked about the 50th anniversary of the Land Trust. “This is quite a feat,” he said. “A 50 year old institution is a strong institution.”
He said the mission has remained the same — to preserve and protect open space and to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors. “It’s important for people to get outside and enjoy open space both mentally and physically. Open space affords a healthy community.”
The Branford Land Trust was founded in 1967, and its history is documented on their web site. Raymond acknowledged the people who formed the all-volunteer Land Trust and those who have worked so hard over the years “We’re standing on the shoulders of people who have done this for 50 years.”
There are currently more than 500 members of the organization, with 100 joining in the past year. “We’re maintaining a strong coalition in the community,” Raymond said. “This is built on five decades of dedication.”
The Land Trust owns and maintains more than 1,000 acres, and has easements on 400 additional acres. The most recent major acquisition was Red Hill Woods, a 29-acre coastal forest with walking trails, streams, an overlook and a Native American rock shelter.
Additional events will be held to mark the 50th anniversary.
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