INTERPERSONAL
Environmental Interpersonal Communication is understood to be a, “One-on-one engagement with people to influence or form an emotional bond over environmental ideologies, experiences, or problems” (ppt. EIC. Typhina, E. 2014). This direction is important to exploring growing issues within the many aspects of the environment ranging from recycling, water/energy/resource conservation, air pollution, consumerism and much more. The media is an influential source to constructing perceptions and ideologies that fail to shed issues affecting the environment and ultimately humans, impeding solutions to these problems. Therefore, for those who engage in environmental interpersonal communication need to take initiative in seeking solutions to convey powerful messages that induce action from the individual to the public. Once a person defines what the environment means to them, it’s important to analyze how that person relates to the environment and vice versa allowing him/her to find a passion to an issue they can possibly become part of the solution. Engaging interpersonally is to, “Utilize verbal and non-verbal skills to get people to explain their environmental ideologies, experiences, or understanding of environmental problems” (ppt. EIC, Typhina, E. 2014). With this engagement and conveyance between individuals forms a small community as a fundamental platform to involve many people perhaps on a global scale to understanding various problems in this field. Part of this theory involves some research of information through literature, experiences, and open-mindedness which gains understanding and support to build a coalition for change in behavior. Once this information is known, shared and understood together, people become distinguishable individually and as a community establishing a Green identity known to be, “The actions we take, and people’s reactions to them, constitute performance of our identity” (ppt. EIP, Typhina, E. 2014). It’s easy to display statistics, or serious information we see every day but as advertisements include much information as well we miss important aspects as well, however a different approach to gaining attention to a problem can be through art, movies, short video clips, or something as simple as humor that opens people easily to something more serious.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the EPA to re-establish their mission within their community by engaging personally with environmental issues, which can be done by having a bi-weekly or monthly lunch discussion with employees on various problems that could affect the employees individually and possibly the functions of their jobs. In beginning the conveyance process, steps need to be taken to reach the target audience which would be the EPA employees on campus. The first step would be a blast email of a new environmental issue bi-weekly or even monthly that could be a possible effect on the employees and their jobs. The blast emails would be followed with a fun but short event monthly, relating to that message making it more personal. In the process of the engagement light incentives would be offered to attend these events to help gain awareness, and a competition could be set on the community at some point to suggest environmental issues to be given attention to every two weeks. This would be a start to making the environment more of a personal issue for those who engage in these activities helping shape perceptions, and ideologies that can be spread not just among themselves and others not engaged with these activities but on a broader spectrum extending their careers. The representative I spoke with at the EPA, confirmed it to be sound advice since many employees only see the EPA as a position in their career, rather than remembering what the organization stands for. This idea can also provide ways to make the EPA itself more efficient and an outstanding example for the public. Although the source for this assignment pertained to students attending middle/high school, this concept can still be used in a professional setting.
http://www.attendanceworks.org/
Environmental Interpersonal Communication is understood to be a, “One-on-one engagement with people to influence or form an emotional bond over environmental ideologies, experiences, or problems” (ppt. EIC. Typhina, E. 2014). This direction is important to exploring growing issues within the many aspects of the environment ranging from recycling, water/energy/resource conservation, air pollution, consumerism and much more. The media is an influential source to constructing perceptions and ideologies that fail to shed issues affecting the environment and ultimately humans, impeding solutions to these problems. Therefore, for those who engage in environmental interpersonal communication need to take initiative in seeking solutions to convey powerful messages that induce action from the individual to the public. Once a person defines what the environment means to them, it’s important to analyze how that person relates to the environment and vice versa allowing him/her to find a passion to an issue they can possibly become part of the solution. Engaging interpersonally is to, “Utilize verbal and non-verbal skills to get people to explain their environmental ideologies, experiences, or understanding of environmental problems” (ppt. EIC, Typhina, E. 2014). With this engagement and conveyance between individuals forms a small community as a fundamental platform to involve many people perhaps on a global scale to understanding various problems in this field. Part of this theory involves some research of information through literature, experiences, and open-mindedness which gains understanding and support to build a coalition for change in behavior. Once this information is known, shared and understood together, people become distinguishable individually and as a community establishing a Green identity known to be, “The actions we take, and people’s reactions to them, constitute performance of our identity” (ppt. EIP, Typhina, E. 2014). It’s easy to display statistics, or serious information we see every day but as advertisements include much information as well we miss important aspects as well, however a different approach to gaining attention to a problem can be through art, movies, short video clips, or something as simple as humor that opens people easily to something more serious.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the EPA to re-establish their mission within their community by engaging personally with environmental issues, which can be done by having a bi-weekly or monthly lunch discussion with employees on various problems that could affect the employees individually and possibly the functions of their jobs. In beginning the conveyance process, steps need to be taken to reach the target audience which would be the EPA employees on campus. The first step would be a blast email of a new environmental issue bi-weekly or even monthly that could be a possible effect on the employees and their jobs. The blast emails would be followed with a fun but short event monthly, relating to that message making it more personal. In the process of the engagement light incentives would be offered to attend these events to help gain awareness, and a competition could be set on the community at some point to suggest environmental issues to be given attention to every two weeks. This would be a start to making the environment more of a personal issue for those who engage in these activities helping shape perceptions, and ideologies that can be spread not just among themselves and others not engaged with these activities but on a broader spectrum extending their careers. The representative I spoke with at the EPA, confirmed it to be sound advice since many employees only see the EPA as a position in their career, rather than remembering what the organization stands for. This idea can also provide ways to make the EPA itself more efficient and an outstanding example for the public. Although the source for this assignment pertained to students attending middle/high school, this concept can still be used in a professional setting.
http://www.attendanceworks.org/
ORGANIZATIONAL
1) Among some of the ideologies we learned this week, I found the Interpretive Perspective, Space and its impacts of physical organization, and the concept of tactic introduced in the article by Kevin Michael DeLuca.
2) A useful concept for organizations is the Interpretive Perspective in which, “Communication is perceptions, horizontal…”(ppt slide). This ideology can be used by integrating shared perceptions, understanding, and purpose targeting environmental issue(s). Once everybody is given a voice that is recognized by those in higher positions, it gives them a sense of being and belonging in the organization; furthermore, communication becomes more bilateral between those in one position and those in leadership positions. This ideology can help any organization continuously reform, and refine itself strengthening the drive to attain its purpose. The second concept mentioned this week is space, which impacts the physical organization one is in. The type of environment a person is in whether outside, inside, a well-lit room or a dim-lit room, can impact their performance and their desire to work. Therefore, the idea of Fixed Feature Space which is the, “Use of concrete and imaginary boundaries that define territory” (ppt slide), is broad yet gives an organization the choice how they can define these boundaries that will constitute exemplary job performance and the desire to be there. Finally, the concept of Tactic which is defined as, “…a calculated action determined by the absence of a proper locus …The space of a tactic is the space of the other. Thus it must play on and with a terrain imposed on it and organized by the law of a foreign power…It is a maneuver ‘within the enemy’s field of vision’…and within enemy territory…a tactic is an art of the weak…The weak must continually turn to their own ends forces alien to them” (DeLuca, M., 74). This is a very powerful and useful concept in all phases in life, especially when all means above tactic have been exhausted, the final stage must be utilized whether through non-violent means as by the Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC) or by violent means as by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in confronting adversaries.
3) My recommendation to any organization is that there must be a target or a purpose to achieve. Once that mission is realized, the idea of InterpretivePerspective must take place to engage everybody within the organization to achieve that purpose. Ideas, methods and suggestions may be shared to effectively reach that goal. In achieving this target, the person(s) in the organization must give others within a clear understanding of that mission, and that leader’s vision as well. Secondly, everybody within the organization must express what the mission means to them personally to see where everybody’s passion is pertaining to that purpose, and if there is any way to relate the mission to something a person cares about to incite a passion for that mission. Third, there needs to be a brainstorming of ideas of the pros and cons of the mission, what obstacles there may be, how to strengthen strong points and how to bridge the weak ones. Finally, collaboration in how to act on the ideas, and what other external sources can be used to attain and fulfill the mission. According to the businesscasestudies website, the Interpretive Perspective is also known as informal communication which, “…enables them to come up with ideas and plans. For example, UNISON helps to share facts and skills through the publication of a communications catalogue this is a system of formal relations. These formal communications help to empower members who are dealing day-to-day with problems and issues in the branches. This then leads to a new process. Through informal communications with employers and their representatives, members feel that they are being supported. This helps them to take ownership of many problems as they work towards resolving them” (http://businesscasestudies.co.uk). This is a case were the integration of other ideas are effective in attaining the purpose of an organization.
1) Among some of the ideologies we learned this week, I found the Interpretive Perspective, Space and its impacts of physical organization, and the concept of tactic introduced in the article by Kevin Michael DeLuca.
2) A useful concept for organizations is the Interpretive Perspective in which, “Communication is perceptions, horizontal…”(ppt slide). This ideology can be used by integrating shared perceptions, understanding, and purpose targeting environmental issue(s). Once everybody is given a voice that is recognized by those in higher positions, it gives them a sense of being and belonging in the organization; furthermore, communication becomes more bilateral between those in one position and those in leadership positions. This ideology can help any organization continuously reform, and refine itself strengthening the drive to attain its purpose. The second concept mentioned this week is space, which impacts the physical organization one is in. The type of environment a person is in whether outside, inside, a well-lit room or a dim-lit room, can impact their performance and their desire to work. Therefore, the idea of Fixed Feature Space which is the, “Use of concrete and imaginary boundaries that define territory” (ppt slide), is broad yet gives an organization the choice how they can define these boundaries that will constitute exemplary job performance and the desire to be there. Finally, the concept of Tactic which is defined as, “…a calculated action determined by the absence of a proper locus …The space of a tactic is the space of the other. Thus it must play on and with a terrain imposed on it and organized by the law of a foreign power…It is a maneuver ‘within the enemy’s field of vision’…and within enemy territory…a tactic is an art of the weak…The weak must continually turn to their own ends forces alien to them” (DeLuca, M., 74). This is a very powerful and useful concept in all phases in life, especially when all means above tactic have been exhausted, the final stage must be utilized whether through non-violent means as by the Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC) or by violent means as by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in confronting adversaries.
3) My recommendation to any organization is that there must be a target or a purpose to achieve. Once that mission is realized, the idea of InterpretivePerspective must take place to engage everybody within the organization to achieve that purpose. Ideas, methods and suggestions may be shared to effectively reach that goal. In achieving this target, the person(s) in the organization must give others within a clear understanding of that mission, and that leader’s vision as well. Secondly, everybody within the organization must express what the mission means to them personally to see where everybody’s passion is pertaining to that purpose, and if there is any way to relate the mission to something a person cares about to incite a passion for that mission. Third, there needs to be a brainstorming of ideas of the pros and cons of the mission, what obstacles there may be, how to strengthen strong points and how to bridge the weak ones. Finally, collaboration in how to act on the ideas, and what other external sources can be used to attain and fulfill the mission. According to the businesscasestudies website, the Interpretive Perspective is also known as informal communication which, “…enables them to come up with ideas and plans. For example, UNISON helps to share facts and skills through the publication of a communications catalogue this is a system of formal relations. These formal communications help to empower members who are dealing day-to-day with problems and issues in the branches. This then leads to a new process. Through informal communications with employers and their representatives, members feel that they are being supported. This helps them to take ownership of many problems as they work towards resolving them” (http://businesscasestudies.co.uk). This is a case were the integration of other ideas are effective in attaining the purpose of an organization.
RELATIONSHIPS
In communicating issues pertaining to a person and everything surrounding him/her, the purpose is to ultimately create a coalition with a shared vision, and to do so relationships among another must be formed. Greening communications is, “creating dialogue about your org’s environmental ideologies, practices, and initiatives via website, Facebook, twitter etc. with your publics” (ppt. Relationships, Typhina, E. 2014). As the world is becoming more dependent on technology especially in communicating, using social media is not just great to engage others, but to spread information with those who trust the sender. For those already engaged in environmental conservation, preservation and sustainability at an organization such as the EPA, a page on their website could be added leaving room for activists to engage in “participatory photography that allows publics to form and share narratives through Photovoice” (ppt. Relationships, Typhina, E. 2014). This allows others including participants to visually be engaged striking an emotional impact on the next person giving them something to think about the actions we take can affect things around us and back to us, therefore inciting action. Producing a Sustainability report is, “an annualreport that provides data on economic, environmental and social impacts of the org” (ppt. Relationships, Typhina, E. 2014). In relation to energy conservation, which seems to be the current issue on the EPA campus, it is not only informative for consumers to see the result of their behavior, but it can create a sense of worth or pride in contribution to improving the environment. Nevertheless, if there is no progress to reduction in the carbon footprint it can also make a person think twice about how they use energy/electricity.
In communicating issues pertaining to a person and everything surrounding him/her, the purpose is to ultimately create a coalition with a shared vision, and to do so relationships among another must be formed. Greening communications is, “creating dialogue about your org’s environmental ideologies, practices, and initiatives via website, Facebook, twitter etc. with your publics” (ppt. Relationships, Typhina, E. 2014). As the world is becoming more dependent on technology especially in communicating, using social media is not just great to engage others, but to spread information with those who trust the sender. For those already engaged in environmental conservation, preservation and sustainability at an organization such as the EPA, a page on their website could be added leaving room for activists to engage in “participatory photography that allows publics to form and share narratives through Photovoice” (ppt. Relationships, Typhina, E. 2014). This allows others including participants to visually be engaged striking an emotional impact on the next person giving them something to think about the actions we take can affect things around us and back to us, therefore inciting action. Producing a Sustainability report is, “an annualreport that provides data on economic, environmental and social impacts of the org” (ppt. Relationships, Typhina, E. 2014). In relation to energy conservation, which seems to be the current issue on the EPA campus, it is not only informative for consumers to see the result of their behavior, but it can create a sense of worth or pride in contribution to improving the environment. Nevertheless, if there is no progress to reduction in the carbon footprint it can also make a person think twice about how they use energy/electricity.
PRESCRIBING
Paragraph 1
Fogg’s Behavior Model (FBM), is a very comprehensive blueprint in addressing behaviors whether inducing new ones, stopping old ones and how to ultimately prolong these behaviors for an indefinite period. As he points out in his article, “Behavior is a product of three factors: motivation, ability, and triggers, each of which as subcomponents…the FBM is useful in analysis and design of persuasive technologies and helps teams work together efficiently, because it gives people a shared way of thinking about behavior change. (Fogg, BJ, 1). Furthermore, it can be used to repress behaviors in how to counter motivation, ability and triggers; from both angles, this model can be applied from an individual standpoint to a corporate setting. This is a great concept targeting behaviors needed to increase action in environmental issues at the many levels, as well as countering consumer behavior exploited by big corporations that
focus on the individual/extrinsic benefit.
Another concept relating to the FBM is the Community-based social marketing which is another method of generating sustainable which calls for identifying barriers to extended behavior, designing a strategy utilizing behavior change tools, monitoring the strategies to see how effective it is, and evaluating the impact of the program once implemented (McKenzie-Mohr, 5-7). This idea is very interesting, although I feel that the trigger is vital in addressing that change in behavior as Fogg highlights in his FBM model, it is something that can be added to the development sustained behavior. Finally, a third distinction would be McKenzie-Mohr’s “Three Steps for Uncovering Barriers”, that breaks the concept down to literature review, focus groups and phone surveys, when focusing on barriers that would impede on long-term behavior. All three focus points connect the dots when it comes to implementing sustainable behavior, each giving their own perspective of what the underpinning should be whether triggers, motivation or ability.
Paragraph 2
Pro-Environmental behavior: Increasing awareness of environmental issues within proximity of members of Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) who are already engaged in pro-environmental behavior of land preservation, and protecting land conservation at many levels. As members and volunteers varied in are already engaged in maintaining and protecting the land TLC is committed to, they may have more motivation in taking action around their local neighborhoods-preserving nature around developed land; neighborhoods, sidewalks around streams and lakes within a half a mile of the neighborhood to be maintained litter free Since their environmental knowledge, and values have engaged them to be proactive in basic land preservation, clean water, healthy wildlife habitat, fresh food etc. on a broader scale, staying in touch and making it a lifestyle can be intrinsically even more rewarding by keeping an open eye for their proximate community. For example, one of the conservation aspects the TLC is safeguarding clean water, which can be in danger due to air pollution, coal mining, facilities producing synthetic toxins and more. Ultimately, there could be a domino effect, or even curious by passers that might spark a trigger to become more environmentally proactive.
Using the Fogg’s Behavior Model (FBM), the target is to increase a pro-environmental behavior that entails active members of the organization Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), to use their existing proactive habits relating to the organization and applying it on a local level that involves them being environmentally proactive around their neighborhoods as well. According to the FBM this change is classified under Purple behavior over a period amount of time in hopes to make it a permanent behavior. Achieving this goal it’s recommended the organization would increase the number of triggers, enhance the ability, and amplify motivation for this action. As BJ Fogg suggests in his video titled Motivation Wave 2012, “…help people succeed on the most desirable health behavior that matches their current motivation…” when speaking on producing a behavior relating to health improvement. So it’s about taking what we already have and amplifying it on a different spectrum, however, he does a great job applying the FBM on healthy behavior showing this can be used in many ways throughout our lives. Relating to safeguarding clean water, the motivation to achieve litter clean up and that other forms of pollution are not slowly reaching any form of water supply, the certain members of the organization of have formed a small group to target this issue can send a monthly blast email for a weekend gathering providing a trigger and incentives as well to make the event more fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqUSjHjIEFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqUSjHjIEFg
The motivation in becoming environmentally proactive locally within their own neighborhoods is the knowledge they already possess
relating to environmental issues, and a conscious to the environment, acknowledging that all living beings are part of the living cycle whether it’s people, animals, insects, birds, trees or plants. Based on this high sense of motivation, taking action in their own “backyards”, makes the performance not just convenient but moderate, because setting the bar too high may just defeat the purpose of the target behavior, and that spreading the word is best through action, there may be a domino effect in the long run creating environmental-friendly communities without necessarily having to cling to a title or an organization per se. Some barriers include not having enough time, some neighborhoods may be very clean, which can be countered moderately by let’s say picking up litter once a month up to half a mile within the neighborhood vicinity, and if their area happens to be maintained well, then some research could be done on less maintained property/neighborhoods that they can target to clean. Obviously, to become an activist of some sort there’s a need for knowledge relating to an issue at hand, and some basic research can be done on local neighborhoods, parks, gardens, roads, other public land etc. that need attention by the communities. Once, this research has been embarked upon people will discover more things on a local spectrum that it will be the trigger to act on the target behavior.
3) Explain your recommended communication/technology: As members of TLC are engaged in land conservation, preservations, keeping up to date with the website an app can be used to engage people within their communities or other communities by helping keeping the environment clean, preserving land etc. with incentives based on points from a scale of 5-150pts, depending on different tasks met within a certain period will earn rewards of maybe environment-friendly products, rewards for involving a family member/friend, or even coupons to local farmers markets which continues the cycle of being proactive in the environment, because giving money away or tickets to a restaurant for example may defeat the purpose of internalizing pro-environment behavior.
4) Evaluate impact of the program once it has been implemented: Every month I would monitor the consistency, as well as people added to the cause to see how well the app would work.
Paragraph 1
Fogg’s Behavior Model (FBM), is a very comprehensive blueprint in addressing behaviors whether inducing new ones, stopping old ones and how to ultimately prolong these behaviors for an indefinite period. As he points out in his article, “Behavior is a product of three factors: motivation, ability, and triggers, each of which as subcomponents…the FBM is useful in analysis and design of persuasive technologies and helps teams work together efficiently, because it gives people a shared way of thinking about behavior change. (Fogg, BJ, 1). Furthermore, it can be used to repress behaviors in how to counter motivation, ability and triggers; from both angles, this model can be applied from an individual standpoint to a corporate setting. This is a great concept targeting behaviors needed to increase action in environmental issues at the many levels, as well as countering consumer behavior exploited by big corporations that
focus on the individual/extrinsic benefit.
Another concept relating to the FBM is the Community-based social marketing which is another method of generating sustainable which calls for identifying barriers to extended behavior, designing a strategy utilizing behavior change tools, monitoring the strategies to see how effective it is, and evaluating the impact of the program once implemented (McKenzie-Mohr, 5-7). This idea is very interesting, although I feel that the trigger is vital in addressing that change in behavior as Fogg highlights in his FBM model, it is something that can be added to the development sustained behavior. Finally, a third distinction would be McKenzie-Mohr’s “Three Steps for Uncovering Barriers”, that breaks the concept down to literature review, focus groups and phone surveys, when focusing on barriers that would impede on long-term behavior. All three focus points connect the dots when it comes to implementing sustainable behavior, each giving their own perspective of what the underpinning should be whether triggers, motivation or ability.
Paragraph 2
Pro-Environmental behavior: Increasing awareness of environmental issues within proximity of members of Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) who are already engaged in pro-environmental behavior of land preservation, and protecting land conservation at many levels. As members and volunteers varied in are already engaged in maintaining and protecting the land TLC is committed to, they may have more motivation in taking action around their local neighborhoods-preserving nature around developed land; neighborhoods, sidewalks around streams and lakes within a half a mile of the neighborhood to be maintained litter free Since their environmental knowledge, and values have engaged them to be proactive in basic land preservation, clean water, healthy wildlife habitat, fresh food etc. on a broader scale, staying in touch and making it a lifestyle can be intrinsically even more rewarding by keeping an open eye for their proximate community. For example, one of the conservation aspects the TLC is safeguarding clean water, which can be in danger due to air pollution, coal mining, facilities producing synthetic toxins and more. Ultimately, there could be a domino effect, or even curious by passers that might spark a trigger to become more environmentally proactive.
Using the Fogg’s Behavior Model (FBM), the target is to increase a pro-environmental behavior that entails active members of the organization Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC), to use their existing proactive habits relating to the organization and applying it on a local level that involves them being environmentally proactive around their neighborhoods as well. According to the FBM this change is classified under Purple behavior over a period amount of time in hopes to make it a permanent behavior. Achieving this goal it’s recommended the organization would increase the number of triggers, enhance the ability, and amplify motivation for this action. As BJ Fogg suggests in his video titled Motivation Wave 2012, “…help people succeed on the most desirable health behavior that matches their current motivation…” when speaking on producing a behavior relating to health improvement. So it’s about taking what we already have and amplifying it on a different spectrum, however, he does a great job applying the FBM on healthy behavior showing this can be used in many ways throughout our lives. Relating to safeguarding clean water, the motivation to achieve litter clean up and that other forms of pollution are not slowly reaching any form of water supply, the certain members of the organization of have formed a small group to target this issue can send a monthly blast email for a weekend gathering providing a trigger and incentives as well to make the event more fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqUSjHjIEFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqUSjHjIEFg
The motivation in becoming environmentally proactive locally within their own neighborhoods is the knowledge they already possess
relating to environmental issues, and a conscious to the environment, acknowledging that all living beings are part of the living cycle whether it’s people, animals, insects, birds, trees or plants. Based on this high sense of motivation, taking action in their own “backyards”, makes the performance not just convenient but moderate, because setting the bar too high may just defeat the purpose of the target behavior, and that spreading the word is best through action, there may be a domino effect in the long run creating environmental-friendly communities without necessarily having to cling to a title or an organization per se. Some barriers include not having enough time, some neighborhoods may be very clean, which can be countered moderately by let’s say picking up litter once a month up to half a mile within the neighborhood vicinity, and if their area happens to be maintained well, then some research could be done on less maintained property/neighborhoods that they can target to clean. Obviously, to become an activist of some sort there’s a need for knowledge relating to an issue at hand, and some basic research can be done on local neighborhoods, parks, gardens, roads, other public land etc. that need attention by the communities. Once, this research has been embarked upon people will discover more things on a local spectrum that it will be the trigger to act on the target behavior.
3) Explain your recommended communication/technology: As members of TLC are engaged in land conservation, preservations, keeping up to date with the website an app can be used to engage people within their communities or other communities by helping keeping the environment clean, preserving land etc. with incentives based on points from a scale of 5-150pts, depending on different tasks met within a certain period will earn rewards of maybe environment-friendly products, rewards for involving a family member/friend, or even coupons to local farmers markets which continues the cycle of being proactive in the environment, because giving money away or tickets to a restaurant for example may defeat the purpose of internalizing pro-environment behavior.
4) Evaluate impact of the program once it has been implemented: Every month I would monitor the consistency, as well as people added to the cause to see how well the app would work.
EMPOWERING
The concept of Art is a great way and an effective tool to communicate any issue especially that of environmental issues. As information engages our cognitive processes, hearing and sight, the emotional and imaginative aspect is ignored. As Joseph Zammit-Lucia presents the imaginative side of disseminating environmental issues, it can give people a broad idea and think for themselves on a problem rather than receiving information in a way that almost dictates on how to think about a concern. Moreover, he highlights that, “Imagination cannot thrive in a culture that privileges the3 rational and analytical to the exclusion of all else…the concept of emotional intelligence is already coming to be seen as a key leadership quality” (p.2). I think this idea of imagination through art helps people become creative, allowing endless possibilities in addressing environmental concerns.
Framing as is it is defined as, “a way of using specific words to ‘frame’ a problem from a specific vintage point, while also excluding other perspectives” (ppt slide-12). This idea can help emphasize the core message of a particular concept for example; the naming of the organization WakeupWakeCounty is a great attention getter to just look at the site for residents of Wake County. For those looking to respond to various issues that affect their families’ lives, the website does a good job using certain terms to stir curiosity such as SmartGrowth. Karen Rindge gave a great example on framing when she asked whether it would be good to keep the name of the organization as is or if it would be better to change it to YouSnoozeYouLose; with those who thought the latter would be a better name gave their reasoning behind it proving the effectiveness of Framing.
The concept of Grassroots groups is great because it engages much of those whose lives are affected in some way or another. It is less robotic, less structured, more of freethinking that allows for creativity. They also can be willing to take a step past judicial boundaries, were they would have to sometimes take action by any means necessary. An outstanding example was the case of the love canal, were Lois Gibbs and other members of her organization held and EPA member hostage to address the health threatening factors in their local communities. Nevertheless, problems can always be met in other civil ways which was expressed by Adam Corner in his article, “The ‘art’ of Climate Change Communication”. Here he points out the Aspects Project which collects digital stories of different environmental issues affecting people of their communities directly. This concept alone give the audience a more personal understanding and viewpoints, and like art, it helps the audience think for themselves, possibly creating other avenues to tackle the issue at hand.
1.As I spoke with one of the mentors (Dean Urban) of Triangle Land Conservancy, I focused on the issue of some pollutants in water streams within the triangle, particularly speaking of polychlorinatedbiphonylls (PCBs), which can not only have a long-term and damaging impact on the human body, but it is found in majority of the population normally stored in fat cells. With this concern in mind and the empowerment section of the class, I suggested a possibility of working with an organization such as the Capitol Region Watershed District in using artists to create a new avenue to the water issue and conservancy.
2. http://coraogden.com/
Cora Ogden is a local artist from Wake Forest that does landscapes and still life paintings. As her work on landscapes are gorgeous, her vision could be used to create a reality on water pollution; for example instead of drawing beautiful sceneries of landscapes with clean blue flowing water, the same landscape could be drawn only with contamination and ugliness in the water. This would send the same message as the posters did on smoking in high school, when a person’s face looked charred and the poster would read “if smoking made you look on the outside, the way it made your lungs look would you still smoke?” Using this type of art would be a good start introducing the art aspect in communicating this environmental concern.
3. Find Your Focus:
I think the TLC organization can partner with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to extract more ideas concerning protecting water resources as the MCWD has partnered with other agencies, local governments and more that are conducive to protecting lakes, rivers and streams. This can be valuable by placing importance on our local water resources within the organization, as they only seem to mention “safeguarding clean water”. As they place emphasis on protecting land, water must be protected as well including what is being polluted. As they don’t have a solid mission statement they include protecting and conserving land and water, they can briefly touch on how they would conserve and protect surface and groundwater resources
4. Spread the Word:
As the younger generation is growing environmentally conscious, high schools, college campuses, coffee shops, student housing, their website can be used to call to action or at least to attention. Posters can have a picture of a beautiful landscape with streams of visibly polluted water; so what’s microscopic can be manifested to the naked eye in painting titled “Water Around You, in You” – then explaining briefly using simple but key words that reflect the pollutants in our water (the painting), how they may be already in our bodies and the effects they can have on us. Part of the explanation will be introducing commonly found chemicals in the water such as PCBs, and since we are in Raleigh a list of lakes or streams would be found on the poster.
The concept of Art is a great way and an effective tool to communicate any issue especially that of environmental issues. As information engages our cognitive processes, hearing and sight, the emotional and imaginative aspect is ignored. As Joseph Zammit-Lucia presents the imaginative side of disseminating environmental issues, it can give people a broad idea and think for themselves on a problem rather than receiving information in a way that almost dictates on how to think about a concern. Moreover, he highlights that, “Imagination cannot thrive in a culture that privileges the3 rational and analytical to the exclusion of all else…the concept of emotional intelligence is already coming to be seen as a key leadership quality” (p.2). I think this idea of imagination through art helps people become creative, allowing endless possibilities in addressing environmental concerns.
Framing as is it is defined as, “a way of using specific words to ‘frame’ a problem from a specific vintage point, while also excluding other perspectives” (ppt slide-12). This idea can help emphasize the core message of a particular concept for example; the naming of the organization WakeupWakeCounty is a great attention getter to just look at the site for residents of Wake County. For those looking to respond to various issues that affect their families’ lives, the website does a good job using certain terms to stir curiosity such as SmartGrowth. Karen Rindge gave a great example on framing when she asked whether it would be good to keep the name of the organization as is or if it would be better to change it to YouSnoozeYouLose; with those who thought the latter would be a better name gave their reasoning behind it proving the effectiveness of Framing.
The concept of Grassroots groups is great because it engages much of those whose lives are affected in some way or another. It is less robotic, less structured, more of freethinking that allows for creativity. They also can be willing to take a step past judicial boundaries, were they would have to sometimes take action by any means necessary. An outstanding example was the case of the love canal, were Lois Gibbs and other members of her organization held and EPA member hostage to address the health threatening factors in their local communities. Nevertheless, problems can always be met in other civil ways which was expressed by Adam Corner in his article, “The ‘art’ of Climate Change Communication”. Here he points out the Aspects Project which collects digital stories of different environmental issues affecting people of their communities directly. This concept alone give the audience a more personal understanding and viewpoints, and like art, it helps the audience think for themselves, possibly creating other avenues to tackle the issue at hand.
1.As I spoke with one of the mentors (Dean Urban) of Triangle Land Conservancy, I focused on the issue of some pollutants in water streams within the triangle, particularly speaking of polychlorinatedbiphonylls (PCBs), which can not only have a long-term and damaging impact on the human body, but it is found in majority of the population normally stored in fat cells. With this concern in mind and the empowerment section of the class, I suggested a possibility of working with an organization such as the Capitol Region Watershed District in using artists to create a new avenue to the water issue and conservancy.
2. http://coraogden.com/
Cora Ogden is a local artist from Wake Forest that does landscapes and still life paintings. As her work on landscapes are gorgeous, her vision could be used to create a reality on water pollution; for example instead of drawing beautiful sceneries of landscapes with clean blue flowing water, the same landscape could be drawn only with contamination and ugliness in the water. This would send the same message as the posters did on smoking in high school, when a person’s face looked charred and the poster would read “if smoking made you look on the outside, the way it made your lungs look would you still smoke?” Using this type of art would be a good start introducing the art aspect in communicating this environmental concern.
3. Find Your Focus:
I think the TLC organization can partner with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to extract more ideas concerning protecting water resources as the MCWD has partnered with other agencies, local governments and more that are conducive to protecting lakes, rivers and streams. This can be valuable by placing importance on our local water resources within the organization, as they only seem to mention “safeguarding clean water”. As they place emphasis on protecting land, water must be protected as well including what is being polluted. As they don’t have a solid mission statement they include protecting and conserving land and water, they can briefly touch on how they would conserve and protect surface and groundwater resources
4. Spread the Word:
As the younger generation is growing environmentally conscious, high schools, college campuses, coffee shops, student housing, their website can be used to call to action or at least to attention. Posters can have a picture of a beautiful landscape with streams of visibly polluted water; so what’s microscopic can be manifested to the naked eye in painting titled “Water Around You, in You” – then explaining briefly using simple but key words that reflect the pollutants in our water (the painting), how they may be already in our bodies and the effects they can have on us. Part of the explanation will be introducing commonly found chemicals in the water such as PCBs, and since we are in Raleigh a list of lakes or streams would be found on the poster.