Climate Change Adaptation: Ideas, Tips, and Resources for Effective Communication

1. Climate Change Adaptation: Ideas, Tips, and Resources for Effective Communication Lesley Jantarasami US EPA, Office of Air & Radiation National Tribal Forum May 2, 2013

2. Starting the Climate Conversation • We know that many tribes are on the front lines of climate change. • Climate change adaptation is about preparing for current and projected changes in climate. • The first step in adaptation planning is to build and maintain support for taking action.

3. Ideas & Tips for Communicating on Climate Adaptation • Effective communication is key to building and maintaining support to prepare for climate change. • But where to begin? • Lessons learned and best practices are still evolving, but early examples have common themes. Photo: USFWS/Gary Peeples

4. Take a Global Issue…

5. …and make it local Photo: USFWS/Steve Hillebrand

6. Make the Message Manageable • Climate adaptation is a response to changes that are already occurring and are expected to continue • Acknowledge that it is a long-term issue • But avoid getting bogged down with what will happen 100 years from now • Focus on local information, near-term impacts of climate change, and near-term benefits of being prepared • Goal is to leave your audience with impression that adaptation is both achievable and desirable

7. Emphasize the Economics • Prevention Pays • ‘No Regrets’ Actions • Risk Management / Disaster Preparedness • Planning for future changes can benefit tribal government today. • Proactive planning is more effective and less costly than reacting to impacts as they occur. • It’s like insurance for an uncertain future. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

8. Integrate Cultural Values • Better future • Health, Safety, and Well-Being • Security for Air, Water, Food • Sustainability of Livelihoods and Culture • Frame the issue or “story” for local culture • Consider Traditional Ecological Knowledge • Example: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Photos: Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic

9. Implementation Tips • Seek buy-in early and often • Get local, credible messengers on board • Set milestones; take step-by-step • Be ready for windows of opportunity • As appropriate, use climate-related events to communicate need to adapt • Integrate with existing planning processes Photo: USDA Photo: Ontario MNR

10. U.S. EPA Resources U.S. EPA Climate Change Website • Accessible scientific information about the causes and impacts of climate changewww.epa.gov/climatechange • Specific information about the impacts and adaptation options by region and sector for the U.S. www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/ U.S. EPA Climate Change Indicators Report • EPA report on set of 26 indicators used to track the signs of climate change www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/index.html U.S. EPA State and Local Climate and Energy Program Website • Links to state adaptation plans, resources, and tools www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/state/topics/impacts-adaption.html • Climate adaptation webcasts on impacts, planning frameworks, and federal resources http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/web-podcasts/local-webcasts.html#adap1 Other U.S. EPA Programs • Climate Ready Estuaries water.epa.gov/type/oceb/cre/index.cfm • Climate Ready Water Utilities water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/index.cfm

11. Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments. By the Climate Impacts Group; King County, Washington; and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA. http://www.cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/snoveretalgb574.pdf • ITEP’s Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Plan Template. Available upon request from Sue Wotkyns. (susan.wotkyns@nau.edu) Other Resources CAKE – Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange • Case studies, virtual library, online community www.cakex.org ICLEI – Free adaptation resources, adaptation training, ADAPT Tool, regional impacts • www.icleiusa.org/climate_and_energy/Climate_Adaptation_Guidance National Wildlife Federation – Guidebooks and reports on conservation-focused adaptation strategies • http://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Energy-and-Climate/Climate-Smart-Conservation/Adaptation-Reports.aspx • Facing the Storm: Indian Tribes, Climate-Induced Weather Extremes, and the Future for Indian Country, 2011 http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/xnifc/documents/text/idc015951.pdf Natural Resource Defense Council • Climate Change and Healthhttp://www.nrdc.org/health/climate/ U.S. Global Change Research Program • National Climate Assessment, data, reports www.globalchange.gov/

12. Acknowledgements • Cara Pike, The Social Capital Project / Climate Access • Nancy Gilliam, Model Forest Policy Program / Climate Solutions University • Gwen Griffith, Cumberland River Compact / Climate Solutions University Contact Information • Lesley Jantarasami • Office of Air & Radiation • Office of Atmospheric Programs • Climate Change Division • Jantarasami.Lesley@epa.gov

13. Panel Discussion • Delbert Altaha Jr., White Mountain Apache Tribe • Joe Hostler, Yurok Tribe • Violet Yeaton, Port Graham Village

14. Southwest

15. Southwest

16. Northern California

17. Northern California

18. Alaska

19. Alaska

20. Discussion Questions • What was your approach to making your adaptation project manageable and achievable? • Has anyone used an economics messaging approach? • What were some of the ways you integrated cultural values into your messages? • Do you have other tips for what communication approaches worked well and what didn’t?