Changing Coastline

Smart Growth Network- Getting Smart About Climate Change

The International City/County Management Association is advocating for Smart Growth as a means to adapt to climate change.

This report outlines nine strategies for successfully applying smart growth principles to climate concerns on the local and regional levels:

1. Create more sustainable and resilient communities
2. Green the local economy
3. Engage the community in the climate change planning process
4. Approach climate change planning on a regional level
5. Address transportation through transit-oriented development and complete streets
6. Promote density through infill development and brownfield redevelopment
7. Adopt green building policies
8. Preserve and create green space
9. Plan for climate adaptation.

Climate Leadership Initiative and the Social Capital Project- Climate Communications and Behavior Change: A Guide for Practitioners

In order to motivate people to alter their views and behaviors related to global warming, leaders within all levels of government, the private sector, non-profits and communities must become aware of and utilize the fundamentals of effective climate communications, outreach, and behavioral change mechanisms.

To address this need, the Social Capital Project of the Climate Leadership Initiative has developed this guidebook, which draws on extensive global warming, behavior change and communications research completed by our organization and others as well as from practitioner expertise. The guide distills this information into tools and recommendations that climate leaders can easily apply.  It includes talking points that have been tested with the public as well as quotes from focus group participants that reflect the attitudes of many Americans about global warming.

The guide is organized into two sections:

Part One: The Role of Tension, Efficacy, and Benefits in the Global Warming Conversation
This section illustrates the challenges with existing climate communication efforts and provides tips on how to frame and deliver outreach efforts in a way that motivates changes in thinking and behavior.

Part Two: Understanding and Connecting with Audiences
This section offers detailed advice and tips on how to frame global warming communications and promote behavior change in ways that resonate with a range of audience segments.

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change released a report, Adapting to Climate Change: A Call for Federal Leadership.  This report highlights the important role of the federal government in reducing the vulnerability and strengthening the resiliency of the economy and natural resources in the face of these changes.  In addition to managing a significant amount of land and infrastructure that will be affected by climate change, the federal government is uniquely positioned to provide the necessary leadership, guidance, information, and resources.  While many efforts to adapt to climate change will occur at the state and local level, the federal government is a critical player in an effective and coordinated approach to climate change adaptation in the United States.