Abstract: In this final webinar of the Coastal Alaska series, "Global to Local: Explore Climate Change in Coastal Alaska," panelists and attendees discuss the current state of climate communication, specific communication strategies and a vision for future climate communication. Discussion was prompted by the following questions:

• What excites you and what frustrates you about the way people are talking about climate change?
• What do you see as the biggest obstacles to communicating about climate today?
• If you were looking back from the future, and society had effectively dealt with this crisis, what would success in communication have looked like?
• How do we “choose” hope when communicating and approaching climate change?

Panelist Biographies:

Laura Sturtz, Acting Director of Interpretation and Education at Kenai Fjords National Park

Laura Sturtz has been a National Park Service interpreter for 18 years.  She started her NPS career as a seasonal answering visitor questions about what Glacier National Park would be called after there were no more glaciers.  Laura has worked in a number of glaciated and glacier carved landscapes such as Glacier, Yosemite, Glacier Bay, and Kenai Fjords where the effects of climate change are often readily apparent to visitors.  She has also shared climate change stories in parks where visitors may find the connection more difficult to see such as the effects of rising sea levels on the ever-changing sands of the islands of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. 

Laura's work includes climate change communication on the national level where she co-led the working group for the National Park Service National Climate Change Interpretation and Education Strategy and Toolkit.  Laura had the great honor of interpreting Kenai Fjords' climate change story to President Obama during his 2016 Alaska visit.

For the last 11 years, Laura has served as the Deputy Director of Interpretive Operations at Kenai Fjords National Park where she has trained many seasonal staff to embrace controversial topics such as climate change and ocean issues using sound science, audience centered techniques, and dialogue. 

Jeff Dillon, Senior Education Manager at the Alaska SeaLife Center

Despite what might be portrayed in the popular press these days, I still believe that we love science in this country, and our fellow citizens have a hunger for it.  Additionally, with the dramatic changes, we are witnessing in the environment, our jobs as researchers and educators could not be more important! I joined the staff at the ASLC because I believe strongly in the mission and know we are making a difference in the world.

I grew up in Ohio with respect for and a genuine love of nature, taught to me by my father in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and along the shores of the Great Lakes. I had some truly inspirational teachers in my formative years of jr. & sr. Highschool, who fostered in me a life-long curiosity about the world, how it works, and the importance of scientific investigation. Who inspired you to pursue the career you have chosen?

I have been communicating about global climate change for fifteen years. Despite what can seem like a hopeless uphill battle, I still hope that informal science educators can make a difference. I believe that we have passed a tipping point, and the near future climate for humans will be very different and far less favorable than it has been up to now. However, I don't feel it is too late, and action can still mitigate the worst of the coming changes. Good communication and public education are critical to the success of this effort. Collective human choices got us into this mess; collective action can get us out, and informal science educators can help.

Andy Romanoff, Renewable Juneau

Since receiving a B.S. in Environmental Toxicology and Industrial Hygiene from New York’s Clarkson University, Andy has worn a variety of hats: community organizer for SEACC; wilderness guide for Alaska Discovery; owner, captain and guide of Wilderness Swift Charters; and most recently graphic designer for both Alaska Litho and his own business, Island Design.

Environmental health is a central pillar of Andy’s life and the natural world fuels his passions for life, love and happiness and is the driving factor in nearly all of his decisions, endeavors and interests. Andy is honored to be able to bring this passion and energy to Renewable Juneau, as designer, organizer and activist, and as the project lead for Renewable Juneau’s Carbon Offset Fund. Ask Andy about his dream vision for Juneau and he is likely to say,  “An Alaskan capital city with only electric vehicles, home and businesses heated primarily with heat pumps, a strong focus on renewable energy and a community striving together to create a world-class, sustainable, low-carbon city.”

John Morris, Earth to Sky Partnership

John was an interpreter for 34 years, with the National Park Service throughout Alaska. He is currently retired, but continues to work as a team member of the Earth to Sky Partnership. John has helped mentor the Earth to Sky Coastal Alaska Regional Team and helped build the Climate Conversations webinar series. John resides in Eagle River, Alaska.