Sound Bite       Sound Bite           ...

If you ask those who study human behavior, they will tell you that emotions are the main motivations for human actions.    When we take a physical action, it's actually the inner feeling of "I feel good" that we are after.   We commonly respond from our emotions  and then think up the intellectual reason why we did such and such.    So how do we apply this principle to promoting awareness of Global Climate Change?    

       With Short Punchy Messages:   Notice the mind set of people who attend films and programs about Global Climate Change.   Attendees are already on the "save-the-Earth" bandwagon.   To target this type of audience is excellent for inspiring assistance, for raising money, for networking and for the creation of local support groups, but it misses a huge potential audience.   

       In addition, we need something to awaken the sleepwalkers --  something that will sneak up on them and take them by surprise -- something that is very short (fifteen seconds or less)  -- something that will elicit a sudden,  strong, unexpected, emotional response --  something that they can't simply forget is the next thirty seconds.   Here's an example:  

        Setting the Stage:   If Global Climate Change is not reversed immediately, the Greenland ice cap, the polar caps and most mountain glaciers will all melt causing the ocean level to rise by about forty feet by the year 2099 or sooner.   

        The Visual Solution:   Imagine looking at pictures of well known objects seen in the year 2099 under forty feet of water such as New York Harbor with water flooding over the bases of the Manhattan Island buildings.   Imagine a map of Florida with vast areas under water.    Imagine New Orleans, Louisiana -- London, England -- Venice, Italy -- Washington D.C. --  the Netherlands --  all submerged because climate change has melted the Greenland ice cap, the polar caps and most mountain glaciers.   

        The Verbal Solution:   One could also put captions under these pictures (and add an auditory message to the videos) saying something like this:   That's all right.   Don't be concerned.   Your decedents probably won't care how deep the ocean is, anyway.   Global Climate Change will have killed thousands of animal species and dried up millions of square miles of farm land, so your grandchildren will most likely already have starved to death.

       Really now, we don't need be concerned!    Cockroaches, rats, and mosquitoes will very likely  survive, and God or evolution can simply pick up whatever is left and start all over again.  

        Distribution:   Trailers could be added to the pre-movie clips at theaters.   Videos could also have  pre-movie clips added to them.    Photos could be added to magazines and newspapers.  Public service announcements could be on television and radio.   Large posters could be hung in conspicuous places.   Bill boards could have messages on them. Et cetera.        

       What would happen if a poster showing a map of the United States with all the coastal areas flooded under forty feet of ocean water were give to every third grader in the entire nation on the same day and they were all sent home with instructions to ask their parents to explain what was going on and why?

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The Political Campaign Poster   

You are probable aware of all the posters, the bumper stickers, and the signs in you neighbors' front yards telling you to vote for or against proposition #___  or to vote for so-and-so for this-or-that, public office.   They don't tell you anything about the proposition or the candidate, so why do  politicians spend millions of dollars on these items.   The answer is familiarity, acquaintance, and awareness.   People respond more positively to that with which they are familiar.   The bottom line is that they get votes.    

The same process can be applied to promoting awareness of Global Climate Change.    If you have any clever ideas, or even some not-so-clever ideas,  for bumper stickers or posters or yard signs, please contact us.   

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Concerts and Rock Music Events    

       Members of the entertainment industry are key players in this awareness program.   These people have access to the public that most other people do not.   

       Many celebrities are already speaking out on this issue.    Many celebrity-led programs are already underway.   Creating more concerts, events, programs and films will be major contributors to expanded awareness of Global Climate Change.   

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Stores and Shops    

       Stores, shops, and other places that attract customers to their physical  location could be asked to participate in such things as recycling.  Places of business that are actually working to save the environment could be given a sign for their front window indicating they are part of the solution.   A rating system could be set up and customers encouraged to shop where the environmental protection ratings were highest.

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The Political Scene 

       Because  most politicians today are owned by special interests, they only respond to the public when the public demands action.   Our combined effort will demand that they shift from protecting money interests to protecting the people and the environment.  

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The Internet 

       The Internet is a huge and available resource.   

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There Are Many More Possibilities

       There is obviously much more that could be done that we haven't yet thought of.   If you have any clever ideas, or even some not-so-clever ideas,  please contact us.   

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Copyright © 2001 --  Revisions Copyright 2001-2006     Robert E. Coté    The Life Center

All rights reserved.     See:  Terms of Use° 

26-07     ---    Global Climate Change  -- Public Awareness Campaign

http://www.ReligionAndReality.com/26-07-public-wakeup-call.html

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