Beam me to Planet Gore !
Posted on 06/13/2009 12:52:43 PM PDT by Lorianne
The non-profit PR shop ecoAmerica finally released the findings of its public opinion research today, bringing a trove of information about how on-the-fence Americans respond to different messages about climate change and energy.
The firm conducted an impressive amount of research in February through March—focus groups, a phone survey, an online survey—all focused on finding better talking points for wooing folks who are undecided about this whole global warming/clean energy/green jobs business.
This was the report whose summary was accidently sent to a bunch of media outlets after a White House briefing from ecoAmerica in April, leading to a not-very-flattering story in the New York Times. The story suggested it’s cynical to try to sell the climate crisis the way you’d sell toothpaste, and it’s true that the report wholeheartedly embraces a public-relations way of looking at things:
Remember to speak in aspirational language about shared American ideals, like freedom, prosperity, independence and self-sufficiency while avoiding jargon and details about policy, science, economics or technology.
The earnest English major in me is pitching a fit right now (“Gah! The truth doesn’t need talking points.”) Maybe you’ve got the same beef, but there’s fascinating stuff here. Think of it as “rhetoric” if that sits better than “PR.” For anyone who communicates about climate and energy, it’s worth reading the whole report, “Climate and Energy Truths: Our Common Future.” Here are a few highlights for starters:
Ditch “global warming.” It makes people think of Al Gore more than anything else, too polarizing. “Climate change” is almost as bad. “Our deteriorating atmosphere” is the term soccer moms and other “environmental agnostics” respond to best, the report found. Likewise, people don’t want to hear about “cap-and-trade.” Too wonky. When you’re talking about cap-and-trade, call it “Clean Energy Dividend” or “Clean Energy Cash Back.” This fits a central theme of the report—the climate-action camp needs to learn how to translate think-tank language into kitchen-table language. To hear how this sounds in action, try out ecoAmerica’s blog post explaining the report.
Even “renewable” and “alternative” energy are too vague. (Were you clear on the difference anyway?) Instead, talk about energy sources that run out and ones that don’t run out. Or energy sources you have to burn and ones you don’t have to burn. Talk about values, not facts. “Activating multiple values tends to be stronger than just invoking a single value.” Bring prosperity, national security, and personal health into your argument. The report doesn’t mention human rights or climate justice arguments—odd, since evangelicals have already shown they can rally behind this perspective. One the other hand, one good fact packs more punch than a string of facts. You don’t win people over with a relentless barrage of facts, says the report. That only muddles the brain. Somehow this connects to Joseph Stalin’s “One death is a tragedy; a million is a statistic.” For your one key fact, the report’s authors especially like the phrasing, “Local temperatures always fluctuate naturally. But when the 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 1990, we have a problem.” Finally, the report says it would be a travesty to let the Right own “comprehensive energy solutions”. Show why your side, not theirs, is the true “all-of-the-above” option. As with everything else, it works better to stay on the offensive and make the other side defend their position. OK, but the report doesn’t seem to acknowledge that most people have bull**** detectors that kick in at some point. Calling a cap-and-trade plan “clean energy cash back” makes it sound like you’re promising to create money out of thin air. You can call it a “free beer and hot wings” plan, but at some point, citizens are going to ask for more than spin.
bttt
That’s not the problem. It’s the deteriorated moral atmosphere in The United States from the top down. Lots of other countries, too.
I thought “global warming” was already ditched in favor of “climate change.”
The Truth doesn’t need a PR agency
That’s so last year.
Where will this argument go if we find the climate is not, in fact, deteriorating.
Who will define what climate deterioration is?
““Our deteriorating atmosphere” is the term soccer moms and other “environmental agnostics” respond to best”
I already knew socker mons were stupid since they let their rug rats play a 3rd world game of socker but this proves it!
>>>> When you’re talking about cap-and-trade, call it “Clean Energy Dividend” or “Clean Energy Cash Back.” <<<<<<
Or “Fiat Money Scheme.”
Or “Fleecing The American Taxpayer.”
Or “Covert Taxation Ploy.”
Or “Enrichment Tool For Al Gore And Other Credit Traders.”
What a blatant lie!!!
Perhaps they realize that they lost the global warming / climate change argument. The last polls indicate most people in the US don't by it. A startling trend since 10 years ago most bought it and even with all the $ poured into the propaganda machine, the trend was against them.
polling is a major force for evil.
if this level of polling had been around in the middle of the last century things would be a hell of a lot worse now.
ping
Globalwarmingscam
“War is Peace,” “Freedom is Slavery,” “Ignorance is Strength.”
good lord... protect the lie, change the words, protect the lie
How ‘bout “Climate bailout”?
I think its called Cap N Trade
Especially with the report out of how many millions of Gore’s finances he has invested in plans to receive billions from the whole scam!
I’m part of a lot of these polls and focus groups.. I call BS when I see it no matter how they ask their questions :) One a few days ago was asking me about new possible flavors for one of their products. After what felt like a ton of questions.. the last one asked me if I believe in global warming LOL.
It is all male bovine excrement.
Looks like we’re about to be treated to another of our would-be masters’ tools, most likely to be brought forth by the well-known leftist tool, Algore.
With the alleged fall of communism (the Ruskie variety just swapped their KGB uniforms for business suits and a number of them moved to Chicago and Washington), the political “elites” and their oligarchic handlers needed another device with which to frighten the dumb masses (say that fast for maximum effect) and CONTROL them.
The vote was taken and the ENVIRONMENT WON.
Gobull (spelling intentional) warming is simply the latest tool in their bag of dirty tricks.
Comes now CAP AND TRADE to STEAL EVEN MORE OF OUR OTHERWISE PRIVATE WEALTH and FURTHER CONTROL US.
John, if we don’t stop them, we’ll all be living as serfs and our kids will be outright slaves.
And if not stopped soon, I fear that the day of refreshing the tree of liberty draws neigh.
Sorry folks but it’s time to end the lie. You will not tax us for the air we exhale because it is all bunk. No man can control the weather and especially not by way of a “tax”.
bttt and howdy Steely
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