[Coral-List] [ Re: Education of the masses

[Michael Lombardi]

I've been following this thread with interest, as environmental/ocean
literacy and advocacy is a significant part of what my organization does day
to day.

Just playing devil's advocate for a minute here, but frankly, 'who cares'?
We can spend countless resources getting a message out there, but without a
true mechanism for engagement, no one cares. If people aren't connected to
an issue and see a very direct linkage as to how it affects their day to
day, it will not earn their actual support. It may earn their brief
interest, but will not inspire action.

IMHO, the best thing we can do as a research community short term, is to
engage those interested with grassroots efforts. This may mean some sweat on
our part to partake in reef ID programs, beach cleanups, public lectures,
etc, but it will engage those that are genuinely interest and provide a
tangible mechanism to get those people out there are doing good. On a larger
scale, we need a unified voice that provides a mechanism for engagement.
Plenty of organizations have put big bucks behind important ocean and
environmental messages. This is great, and perhaps on the order of millions
of people were touched by that message, but how many were presented an
opportunity to actually do something.

Now, I'm not saying that I have the answers by any means, but in running a
small org, I've learned that its easy to get people's attention (donors,
sponsors, etc), but its not so easy to get them to commit...UNLESS there is
something in it for them. My point here is that the we need a message or
campaign that strikes a personal note with people and leaves no choice for
them but to get involved. We need to bring forward that connection between
humans and the ocean.

My $.02

Michael Lombardi
Oceans of Opportunity
The Explorer's Club, MN'07
time to 'Get Connected' with Earth
Join our mailing list to receive 'The Explorer's Voice', the e-newsletter
communicating Oceans of Opportunity to this, and future generations.

-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Angela Richards
Dona
Sent: Friday, August 01, 2008 11:05 AM
To: Lauren Carter
Cc: Antares Ramos Álvarez; coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Coral-List] Education of the masses

Hi Antares! Hello to you all,
I have been following this thread for a while without commenting, but think
it is perhaps time to add my $.02. My apologies if any of this has already
been said.

When I am not studying corals, I work for the Rainforest Alliance in the
Communications Department, specifically graphics and design. The subject of
this thread is what I do everyday. I am more than willing to lend a hand if
I can.

What I think is important to emphasize is this: people are overwhelmed by
the message of environmental doom. It is real, we know that, but we have to
feed it to the masses in small palatable bites.

The message to get out there is that reefs are in trouble, but more
importantly, what do we give the people as a solution? If you simply say
that reefs are in trouble, they will sympathize (for about a minute because
that is all the time they have to sympathize before moving on to whatever
else is commanding their attention) but they will not have any idea what to
do about it. Ultimately, they will not do anything. And not only that, they
will start to become numb to the message and will cease to even pay
attention to the environment as an issue overall. Studies say this is
already happening. You have a window of less than 10 seconds to get your
message across. It MUST be effective or you are wasting your time and money.

So what is the message?
What can Joe Schmoe do to help?

We can certainly find beautiful photos of reefs to illustrate what is at
stake, but the message needs to be something like "tell your state
representative that coral reefs are important to you" or "join the beach
cleanup on [insert date]" or "visit the coral reef center for information on
how you can help to protect coral reefs" or something like that. The message
would be different for each region perhaps.

What would be really fantastic is if someone has figured out what
everyonecan do regardless of location that can be of value in the
effort to save the
reefs, then that can be the message.

There are actually too many things to choose that could be of help. It
really depends on what your angle is.  Do you want to emphasize global
climate change and tell people to buy hybrids and stop wasting energy? Do
you want to emphasize the overfishing aspects of the problem and tell people
to stop eating the popcorn shrimp at Popeye's? (personal pet peave) Do you
want to emphasize the pollution problem and tell populations to demand
better waste water management? (good luck). Which message do we choose?

The message could be anything really, but it has to be a command to do
something that is achievable for your everyday person. (This is why the
message that Lauren posted about works. Easy to understand, and doable for
everyone.)

This is something that we strive to achieve at the Rainforest Alliance every
day and sometimes we get it right (often people want us to be too wordy and
that doesn't work so well). But we just keep on trying because it matters
and having solutions is key to our success.

So, put on your thinking caps and come up with a great message. I can help
put it together if/when the time comes. I work with great printers (Forest
Stewardship Council certified, of course) and might be able to help get a
good price for the actual printing of these posters or whatever is the final
manifestation of this thread (no guarantee, but I will certainly be willing
to try). Of course, this means a budget has to come from somewhere too.

My immediate hope is that this thread produces some action first on the part
of you all (this includes me too) to find a way to get the message out,
whatever that message may ultimately be. Then we sit back and hope it works.
Final word - get the message to the very young - schools etc. They are a
powerful force and they grow up to become stewards if done correctly.

Best wishes,

Angela Richards Dona
Graduate Student/Pace University
Communications Coordinator, Design & Production/Rainforest Alliance

On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 5:01 PM, Lauren Carter <
turtle_in_the_sun at hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> I totally agree with Antates in his point that the education needs to be
> for the average person. Coming from a an undergraduate student who follows
> news of coral reefs very closely from Washington State, I can tell you
that
> there are not many people in my area that know ANYTHING about reefs, but
are
> very interested to learn if someone strikes up the conversation. It is
> getting that conversation started that is the key.
>
> While driving in Delaware recently I saw billboards that immediatly caught
> my attention and really worked. They stated:
>
> Save money. Save electricity. Save the planet.
>
> It was an add for flourecent bulbs.
>
> It was easy to read, clear, and an option that even broke 20-somethings
> could do.
>
> Kudos to all you out there that are brainstorming about this topic. It is
> so great to know that there are people, even if we are scattered, that
care
> about our reefs. I know as I continue on pursuing a degree in coastal
> management that coral reefs will be at the top of my list of things to
> address.
>
> Thank you for all the hard work,
> Lauren CarterEnvironmental Science, Washington State University, Honors
> College, Class of 09turtle_in_the_sun at hotmail.com "Be the change you wish
> to see in the world." > Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:48:18 -0400> From:
> antares at aya.yale.edu> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Subject: Re:
> [Coral-List] Education of the masses> > Dear Coral List,> > I am so happy
> about the discussing my initial email has caused.> Thank you for all that
> have given magnificent insights.> I have another comment. When I wrote the
> email suggesting the mass> education effort through billboards, for
example,
> the audience I had in mind> was the regular citizen. Those persons that
lead
> lives where the sea is not> a big deal, directly speaking (in contrast
with
> persons on this list, where> a great part of their time and energy is
spent
> thinking and working with an> aspect of the sea...or surfers, or
> environmentalists or divers that are in> direct contact with this
> ecosystem), where the beach is just there fo
>  r their> use and allowing plastic bags to fly into the water has no
> consequences to> them (if only!).> > Of what I have observed in my
travels,
> and also with the discussion through> this list, is that most of the media
> attention is given to tourists. I> think that is very important, don't
take
> me wrong, but it's not enough. We> need to target the everyday person that
> in the end of the day is the person> that can put pressure on the
> politician. A tourist might respect the reef> but once they leave the
place
> they are visiting, that is it. They will go> home and talk with their
> friends and family about it, and educate that way,> but no urgent action
> will necessarily take place. And odds are, a decent> amount of these
> tourists know about the reef, since many travel to visit the> reef. Once
> again, this type of education is very important, but not> enough. We need
to
> target those that can become concerned with how their> country deals with
> their marine affairs, which would hopeful
>  ly translate> into pressure in votes, change of behaviour, awareness in
> consumption, etc.> > > Living and being from Puerto Rico, all actions a
> Puerto Rican take will> affect the reef because we are a small
island...and
> our coasts and river> basins are quite developed. But I dare say, a vast
> majority of our> inhabitants are not familiar with reefs and the
> consequences of not taking> care of them. It saddens me each time I go to
> the beach on a Sunday to see> the amount of litter left, and the amount of
> plastic shopping bags just> flying across the beach and eventually end in
> the water (yes, I am one of> those that you see running down the beach
> chasing a bag).> > My concern has for a while been, how can we reach the
> non-ocean oriented> person? Those persons that barely have time for their
> daily chores, less so> to worry about the environment. The single mother
of
> three who can barely> see how she'll be able to come up with the expenses
of
> next month. As well> as those that ha
>  ve more time and means in their hands, but simply don't know> about the
> importance of the ecosystems of their countries. These are the> people I
> think we need to reach out to - the masses.> > The idea of the billboards
> came from the fact that I actually detest the> fact that San Juan is
> completely covered in them. But even though I don't> agree with them being
> all over, I still end up reading all of them. And I> get the feeling I am
> not the only one. They are there staring at you, and a> simple message
takes
> seconds to read whilst you are driving, even if you> don't want to look at
> them! That is effecting media marketing (I am by no> means knowledgeable
in
> this area, but if it makes me read them, it's> working). And it's a
business
> that I think is here to stay. Therefore, why> not take advantage of it? Of
> course...funding. But when there's a will,> there's a way.> > I loved
Steve
> Tooze's ideas (thank you for sharing your knowledge and> input),
especially
> the three billboards
>  . Simple yet impacting. Also really> liked the 'hero stories' ideas. I
> have been interviewing many fishermen for> my PhD...and many do say they
> agree with no-takes (it's just a matter how> they are implemented etc.
they
> don't agree with, but that's a whole> different topic). And then there are
> the scientists and activists that have> taken a stand against what is
going
> on, as well as the younger ones that are> starting their own hero stories.
> I'm sure that on this list, there are a> few of us who could come up with
> success stories that could be told.> > Another point Steve brought, is how
> we deliver the message. Too much info> is daunting. We are used to
receiving
> vast amount of data (and we even> struggle with that!), but the truth is,
we
> are an audience of its own. We> need to think on how to deliver 'short
> attention span' messages. And have> them be more positive; most of the
news
> on reefs that are seen, i.e., the> BBC, are scary and depresing....this
> coming from a scienti
>  st in the field,> imagine someone that has no clue? Many of these stories
> don't even leave> you space to be able to aknowledge, think, act and
help.>
> > But I do think the key is, simple and to the point (thank you Pascal
Mege>
> for reminding about this point), at least to start. But billboards are by>
> no means the only way to do it! I agree with Julian in that, even though>
> polemic to some, the live coral aquariums would definitely impact and get
a>
> message across (as long of course, as this is possible to do without
> causing> more harm to the already affected reef!). I also think Sarah
Frias
> Torres's> ideas on giving the message in a sexy way will reach the
> message...I have> also thought that for a while (that's why alcohol adds
so
> affective!). Then> why not try that approach as well? As well as getting a
> super star on> board. (Anyone been to NYC lately? Seen the 'just ask the
> locals' campaign?> It's brilliant! http://nycvisit.com/jatl/). Or why not
> super stars of the> field?
>  The fishermen, the surfer, the scientist, the diver, the beach> goer...>
>
> I wrote the original email to share a concern...but to be honest, it has>
> inspired me and I want to do something about it. I will analyze the
funding>
> opportunities that were posted and the efforts that are already taking
> place> (definitely no need to reinvent the wheel as many of you mentioned)
> and also> try and come up with other possible funding ideas. So many ideas
> were> thrown out! Organizing student groups, getting NGOs such as
SeaGrant>
> involved, starting by educating the family...and of course we need to>
> include school education. Anyone have the contact of the high-schooler
that>
> spoke at the closing ceremony at ICRS?> > I do think we need to work as a
> team...> > As I said, I am very happy that my concern stirred such a
> fantastic> dialogue. I hope it does not end here. We need to educate the>
> masses...education is key...ignorance is dangerous.> > With best wishes,>
>
> Antares> > Antares Ramos
>  -Alvarez, MSc> PhD Candidate> Tropical Ecology Group, Dpt. of Zoology>
> University of Oxford> > On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 12:00 PM, <
> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>wrote:> > > Send Coral-List mailing
> list submissions to> > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> >> > To subscribe
> or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit> >
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list> > or, via email,
> send a message with subject or body 'help' to> >
> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> >> > You can reach the person
> managing the list at> > coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> >> > When
> replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific> > than
"Re:
> Contents of Coral-List digest..."> >> >> > Today's Topics:> >> > 1.
[Updated
> w/ web links] NOAA/Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies> > Program FY2009 Federal
> Funding Opportunity Announcement> > (Felix Martinez)> > 2. Marine Science
> Education Positions Available (Judy Gregoire)> > 3. Unifying Mass
Extinction
> Hypothesis (Scott Woo
>  ldridge)> > 4. Re: education of the masses (Steve Tooze)> > 5. Re:
> Education of the masses - call for students to act> > (Jada-Simone S.
> White)> > 6. Job Announcement - Pacific Islands Coastal Management> >
> Specialist (Ida Buffone)> > 7. ICEBI Meeting Announcement/Coral Panel
(Steve
> LeGore)> > 8. Sea surface temperature of persian gulf in iran from 1985> >
> 2008 (Amir Ahmady)> >> >> >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------> >>
>
> Message: 1> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:43:17 -0400> > From: Felix
Martinez
> <Felix.Martinez at noaa.gov>> > Subject: [Coral-List] [Updated w/ web links]
> NOAA/Coral Reef Ecosystem> > Studies Program FY2009 Federal Funding
> Opportunity Announcement> > To: corallist
<coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>,>
> > ECOLOG-L at LISTSERV.UMD.EDU, Scientific forum on fish and> > fisheries> >
> <FISH-SCI at SEGATE.SUNET.SE>> > Message-ID: <488F64C5.9010209 at noaa.gov>> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed> >> > The
> NOAA/NOS/NCCO
>  S/Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR)> > has issued a
> Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement under its> > Coral Reef
> Ecosystem Studies (CRES) Program entitled /From Science to> >
Conservation:
> Linking Coral Reefs, Coastal Watersheds and their Human> > Communities in
> the Pacific Islands/ to support the transition of> > research to
operations
> in the Micronesian Islands. The main goal of> > this new CRES funding
> opportunity is to utilize existing scientific> > tools and approaches
(e.g.,
> biophysical models; coupled watershed and> > hydrodynamic models, etc.)
> within a social, cultural, and economic> > framework to develop and
> implement effective coastal ecosystem> > management practices.> >> > In
> order for ecosystem management strategies aimed at restoring degraded> >
> reefs, protecting healthy reefs, and ultimately maintaining the valuable>
>
> ecosystem resources and services that reefs provide to society to be> >
> effective, they need to be designed and im
>  plemented by incorporating key> > stakeholders from the local communities
> during both the development and> > implementation process. Preference will
> be given to those proposals> > that include applicant teams comprised of
> scientists, resource managers,> > and a variety of community
representatives
> of the appropriate local> > community governmental and non-governmental
> organizations.> >> > Potential applicants are encouraged to carefully read
> the FFO to fully> > familiarize themselves with the announcement.
Particular
> attention must> > be given to the programmatic requirements to make sure
> that proposed> > projects will satisfy the announcement's goals and
> objectives. Please> > note that the announcement is targeted to proposals
> that include at> > least two of the Micronesian Island Groups (i.e., Guam,
> American Samoa,> > Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall
> Islands,> > Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau).> >> >
> The announcement can be view
>  ed in Grants.gov here> > <> >
>
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=L78Ny9dXfSJG0D9pSn98mfL23L
wGM1HNTGvzQGMCstwpL3kywN4G%21115142622?oppId=42315&flag2006=false&mode=VIEW>
> > >> > or in CSCOR's website here> > <
> http://www.cop.noaa.gov/opportunities/grants/fundingarchive/fy2009.html>.>
> >> > For more information contact the Program Manager, Dr. Felix A.
> Martinez,> > at 301-713-3338 x153 or Felix.Martinez at noaa.gov.> >> > --> >
> <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><> >
Felix
> A. Martinez, Ph.D.> > Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research> >
> National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science> > National Oceanic and
> Atmospheric Administration> > N/SCI2, SSMC4 Rm. 8205 ph: 301-713-3338
x153>
> > 1305 East-West Hwy. fax: 301-713-4044> > Silver Spring, MD 20910 email:
> felix.martinez at noaa.gov> >> > Note: The content of this message does not
> reflect any position of the U.S.> > Government or of NOAA unless otherwise
> specified. The information therein> > is
>  only for the use of the individuals or entity for which it was intended>
>
> even if addressed incorrectly. If not the intended recipient, you may not>
>
> use, copy, disseminate, or distribute the message or its content unless> >
> otherwise authorized.> > <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
<><
> <>< <>< <>< <><> >> >> >> > ------------------------------> >> > Message:
2>
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:05:06 -0700 (PDT)> > From: Judy Gregoire <
> judy_gregoire at yahoo.com>> > Subject: [Coral-List] Marine Science Education
> Positions Available> > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> > Message-ID: <
> 695343.98141.qm at web33107.mail.mud.yahoo.com>> > Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset=iso-8859-1> >> > Please share the following?information with
anyone
> you?know who?would be an> > enthusiastic?leader of?hands-on marine science
> programs in the Florida> > Keys!!!> > ?> > The Newfound Harbor Marine
> Institute at Seacamp is currently hiring Marine> > Science Instructors and
> Marine Science Edu
>  cation Interns for our upcoming> > Fall 2008 season in Big Pine Key,
FL.??
> Newfound Harbor Marine Institute is> > a?nonprofit, residential,
> environmental educational organization offering> > marine science
> activities?to visiting elementary, secondary, college, and> > adult
groups.>
> > ?> > Marine Science Instructors and Marine Science Education Interns
are>
> > responsible for leading interpretive programs in tropical marine science
> for> > visiting schools and participate in support services required to
run
> a> > residential facility.> > ?> > Extensive on-site training includes:
> science seminars, American Red Cross> > Waterfront?Lifeguarding,?Oxygen
> administration, First Aid, and CPR for the> > Professional Rescuer, boat
> handling, skin diving skills, teaching techniques> > and more.> > ?> >
> Qualifications:> > Instructor - Must have a college degree in the
biological
> sciences,> > environmental science, or education. Must have at least one
> full year of> > teaching experience.> > I
>  ntern - Must be working towards a degree in the biological sciences,> >
> environmental science, or education or related fields. Must have
completed>
> > at least one year of college level biology.> > All staff - Must be a
> strong swimmer and have a desire to live and work in> > a community
> setting.> > ?> > Salary/Benefits: Salary/stipend, room and board provided
> on> > property,?extensive training opportunities, worker's compensation
> insurance,> > and staff boat use during time off.? An opportunity to make
a
> difference in> > the lives of children as they experience the marine
> environment as their> > classroom.> > ?> > To apply: Send you resume to
> info at nhmi.org. We will contact you to> > complete your employment packet
> with a cover letter,?Seacamp application,> > official college transcripts,
> and three letters of recommendation.> > ?> > Seasonal employment: Fall
(Late
> August/Early September-December). Spring> > (January-May) Summer
> (May-August). Multi-seasonal and year-round posit
>  ions> > are available. Internship credit is available.> > ?> > Judy
> Gregoire> > Director> > Newfound Harbor Marine Institute at Seacamp> >
1300
> Big Pine Avenue> > Big Pine Key, FL 33043> > 1-877-SEACAMP> >
> info at nhmi.org?> >> >> >> >> > ------------------------------> >> >
> Message: 3> > Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:12:35 +1000> > From: Scott
> Wooldridge <s.wooldridge at aims.gov.au>> > Subject: [Coral-List] Unifying
> Mass Extinction Hypothesis> > To: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>> >
> Message-ID: <42E728371040A4448383EC5F86E411776D6CA4 at fox.aims.gov.au>> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"> >> > Dear Coral-List,> >> >
I
> encourage people with an interest in ocean acidification impacts to> >
> consider a paper / hypothesis that is currently open for discussion on> >
> the interactive Biogeosciences journal.> >> > Mass extinctions past and
> present: a unifying hypothesis> >> > S. A. Wooldridge> > Australian
> Institute of Marine Science, PMB #3, Townsville MC, 4810,> > QLD, Australi
>  a> >> >> > It is accessible and open for interactive public discussion
via
> the> > web-link:> >> >
> http://www.biogeosciences-discuss.net/5/2401/2008/bgd-5-2401-2008.html> >>
> >> >> > Also, read the "Additional Observations #1, #2, #3" in the linked>
>
> Interactive Discussion to understand why the hypothesis predicts that> >
> symbiotic reef corals undergo skeletal dissolution at night-time and> >
> during mass bleaching events. The significance of this dissolution> >
> process for ocean carbon sequestration, and hence future global warming> >
> rates, is also considered.> >> >
> http://www.cosis.net/members/journals/df/article.php?paper=bgd-5-2401> >>
> >> >> > Kind Regards,> >> > Scott> >> > Scott Wooldridge, PhD> > Research
> Scientist> > Australian Institute of Marine Science> > PMB 3 Townsville
MC,
> QLD, 4810.> >> > ph 07 47534142 (w)> > fax 07 47725852> > email
> s.wooldridge at aims.gov.au> > web www.aims.gov.au> >> >> >> >> > --> >
> -----------------------------------------------------------
>  -------------> > The information contained in this communication is for
> the use of the> > individual or entity to whom it is addressed, and may
> contain> > information which is the subject of legal privilege and/or
> copyright.> >> > If you have received this communication in error, please
> notify the> > sender by return email and delete the transmission, together
> with any> > attachments, from your system. Thank you.> >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------>
>>
> >> >> >> > ------------------------------> >> > Message: 4> > Date: Wed,
30
> Jul 2008 10:56:17 +0100> > From: "Steve Tooze" <
> stevetooze1000 at googlemail.com>> > Subject: Re: [Coral-List] education of
> the masses> > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> > Message-ID:> > <
> 912ab0f80807300256u2f6697cegab79b7442ad22a36 at mail.gmail.com>> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1> >> > Hi Coral listers> >
I've
> got a slightly different take on Pascal's line of argument.> >> > I've
been
> a mass mark
>  et journalist for 20 years. I'm not sure that I agree> > that the
audience
> you are thinking about can only cope with simple facts.> >> > It's that
they
> need their facts packaged up in a certain way - as a> > compelling
narrative
> related to them by another human being.> >> > Percentages, statistics,
> graphs, charts, weighty scientific reports. I'm> > afraid they are all
water
> off a duck's back to the vast majority of the> > people who read (pretty
> much only) mass circulation newspapers and> > magazines> > or watch trash
> TV.> >> > All that science stuff is scary and seemingly contradictory. It
> makes them> > feel powerless in the face of powerful global forces beyond
> their control.> >> > And even Al Gore's excellent polemic really only
> reached the reading middle> > classes.> >> > To truly get the peril facing
> coral reefs across to the masses, you need> > old-fashioned stories with a
> heroes fighting (and ideally prevailing)> > against evil and impossible
odds
> or a victims facing
>  tragedy or terrible> > hardship.> >> > I can hear the groans. And I am
> exaggerating for dramatic effect. But I'm> > sure you get the serious
point
> I'm trying to make here.> >> > You all need to start looking for positive
> human stories that show that a> > brave, resourceful individual absolutely
> can make a difference to the fate> > of our coral reefs by their lifestyle
> and consumption choices.> >> > So (and again I'm being simplistic for the
> sake of brevity) where are the> > stories about young, personable marine
> scientists facing down opposition to> > save a particular coral reef or
> coastal area?> >> > The local fisherman supporting a no-take zone -
against
> his own immediate> > interests - for the sake of his children and
> grandchildren?> >> > The farmer who has changed his practices due to your
> piece of> > ground-breaking research in the effects of fertilisers?> >> >
> The media-savvy scientist who is willing to become a recognised household>
>
> name, the charismatic posterboy/
>  girl of the Fight Against Coral Reef> > Destruction, thus giving us
simple
> tabloid hacks and readers a single> > person> > to go to and identify
with?
> (Call it the Jacques Cousteau Effect!)> >> > All these people are your
point
> men and women. You need to start digging> > them out and putting them up
> very regularly for interview by local,> > regional> > and even national TV
> and press.> >> > Mass market media (and their audience) will stop to
listen
> to their human> > interest stories and then stay around long enough to
take
> on board some of> > the hard facts and figures.> >> > Oh, and about those
> billboards. How about using them to tell a simple> > narrative too?> >> >
> Say you have three billboards placed half a mile apart on the same road.>
>
> Poster One is dark and sombre showing someone doing a Bad Thing that will>
>
> endanger coral reefs. A big dramatic logo reads I'm Killing a Coral Reef>
>
> Today.> >> > Poster Two shows a smiling child doing a Good Thing under the
> logo I'm>
>  > Saving a Coral Reef Today.> >> > Poster Three shows a beautiful,
healthy
> coral reef with the logo YOU Can> > Save Our Coral Reefs too. At the
bottom
> of the poster it reads 'Find out> > more at www.coralreefs.com...' thus
> leading them to a website with, say,> > ten> > simple lifestyle changes
they
> can make to help coral reefs.> >> > I agree - cheesy, populist etc. But
it's
> an approach that has worked for> > the> > likes of Greenpeace and Oxfam.>
>>
> > In the UK the government and various lobby groups have successfully
used>
> > these tactics to bring simple measures to combat climate change -
turning>
> > off lights, using low-energy lightbulbs, recycling - into the
mainstream.>
> >> > I honestly think that adopting variations on these tactics is vital
if
> you> > are serious about getting your message across to those millions of>
>
> consumers> > who will ultimately play a major part in deciding whether
coral
> reefs> > survive the century.> >> > Steve Tooze> > Media consultant & jour
>  nalist> > London> > UK> >> >> > ------------------------------> >> >
> Message: 5> > Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:23:19 -0400> > From: "Jada-Simone
S.
> White" <jswhite at zoology.ufl.edu>> > Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Education of
> the masses - call for students> > to act> > To:
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> > Message-ID: <
> 48907957.7000008 at zoology.ufl.edu>> > Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="iso-8859-1"> >> > As a student attendee at ICRS, I was also
> inspired to action by the> > emphasis on public education. If graduate
> students make a coordinated> > effort to publish the 'Reefs for the
Future'
> message in our student> > newspapers the first week of school, we can
reach
> the large consumer> > population that will become the next generation of
> community leaders. We> > can take advantage of the already created PSA's
> (described in the> > previous message from Francis Staub below) as well as
> the Briefing> > Papers available on the ISRS website (
> http://www.fit.edu/isrs/) to hone> > our me
>  ssage. In particular, NOAA provides a nice framework (see below)> > and
we
> can use our experiences at the meeting to personalize the messages.> >> >
As
> scientists, we are keenly aware of the small daily changes we must> > make
> to save our reefs. Students are slightly more receptive than the> >
average
> population and an article in the student paper could include> > ideas to
> decrease our individual impact on acute stressors, as well as> > web links
> to ongoing local efforts to increase sustainable practices. We> > might as
> well begin the new school year with a strong message of hope.> > Perhaps
> even praising those efforts campuses have made to reduce their> > carbon
> footprint, where appropriate. My labmate, Fran?ois Michonneau,> > and I
are
> currently drafting an article for the Independent Florida> > Alligator for
> publication in August.> >> > In addition to student newspapers, there are
> many media outlets> > throughout most major universities. Other efforts
> could include> > bro
>  adcasting some of these PSA's in our student unions or residence> > halls
> and posting ISRS briefing posters around our departments / marine> > labs.
> Perhaps if students get the message form multiple sources and in> >
multiple
> forms, they will see the problem and, importantly, steps they> > can take
to
> reduce it. These approaches are inexpensive (often free,> > other than
> time), will utilize existing resources, and will target an> > important
> subset of our population.> >> > Will other students join us in this call
to
> action?> >> > Sincerely,> >> > Jada-Simone White> > Ph.D. Candidate> >
> Department of Zoology> > University of Florida> >> > Date: Fri, 25 Jul
2008
> 10:39:03 -0400> > From: "Francis Staub" <fstaub at iyor.org>> > Subject:
> [Coral-List] Education of the masses> > To: <
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>> > Message-ID:
> <002a01c8ee64$304a38d0$6501a8c0 at Francis>> > Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset="us-ascii"> >> >> > Dear Antares:> >> > All your suggestions are
> good ideas and
>  as you mentioned the problem is> > funding. However, I'd like to let you
> know that several organizations> > already developed some very good
> materials (and very similar with what you> > are mentioning). Also, for
> those who attended the last ICRS and visited the> > education center, I am
> sure you were surprised by the number of existing> > materials. Thus, I
> don't think we need to reinvent the wheel and develop> > more material, we
> just need o work together and better disseminate the> > existing one. You
> will find below some examples of existing materials or> > "mass media"
> outreach campaigns (most of them were done as a> > contribution to> > the
> International Year of the Reef 2008):> >> > * The NOAA Coral Reef Public
> Service Announcement Poster Project: this> > Public Service Announcement
> Poster Project was designed to create a public> > affinity for the
long-term
> conservation of coral reefs and to educate reef> > tourists and user
groups.
> The Poster Project incorporates bil
>  lboards and> > bus-stop posters, as well as "duratrans" and
"spectaculars"
> (images> > displayed in international airports), in Washington, DC,
> Baltimore, Miami,> > Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (these
posters
> were created> > through> > a grant from the Coral Reef Conservation Fund
of
> NOAA and the National Fish> > and Wildlife Foundation). More info at:> >
> http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/outreach/protect/welcome.html. I also
> posted> > some images of the billboards on the following link> >
> http://www.iyor.org/corallist.asp> >> > * In Brazil, at some airports,
> billboards are displaying coral reef> > information for tourists (
> http://www.iyor.org/corallist.asp)> >> > * As part of the International
> Year of the Reef campaign, the Honolulu> > Advertiser distributed a
> newsprint version of The Living Reef, as a 28-page> > primer on Hawaii's
> coral reefs and their environmental, economic, cultural> > and
recreational
> values as well as the threats to them. Content for the> > ins
>  ert was provided by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and was produced in> >
> cooperation with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration>
> > (NOAA), and the State of Hawai'i, Dept of Land & Natural Resources,> >
> Division> > of Aquatic Resources (DAR). The Living Reef insert went out to
> all 150,000> > Advertiser subscribers statewide and an additional 20,000
to
> schools and> > teachers (http://www.iyor.org/focalpoints/countries/hi/)>
> >> > * In France (in Paris), billboards in the metro station have
> information> > about a Coral Reef exhibit being currently held at the
> Aquarium of Porte> > Doree.> >> > * NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife
> Foundation, UrbanArts Institute at> > Mass College of Art and other Marine
> and Ocean Conservation NGOs supported> > the production and distribution
of
> a series of 30 second TV PSAs to educate> > the US public concerning
> ocean-coral reef and coastal environmental> > education. The main message
is
> "Whether you live one mile or one tho
>  usand> > miles from a coral reef, your actions affect the reefs' future
> and the> > reefs' future affects yours. As the natural guardians of our
> shores, reefs> > play a vital role in our global ecosystem. With climate
> change, pollution,> > and overfishing contributing to coral reef
> degradation, we can all play a> > role in protecting our land, sea and
sky.
> And all it takes is a few simple> > changes to your daily routine." (all
the
> PSAs are available at:> > www.iyor.org/tv)> > These PSAs are or will be
> broadcast on several major channels/networks. For> > example:> >> > - LA
TV
> (National Rotation of all PSAs started on July 26, 2008, in English> > and
> Spanish)> > - Discovery Channel (the short 15 second version of the IYOR
> Main> > Message is> > broadcast nationally on all Discovery TV Networks.
The
> 30 Second Spanish> > version of the main messages is broadcast on the
> Discovery Channel Latina.> > The PSAs are will be broadcasted for the next
6
> months)> > - From August 15 - 21,
>  the main IYOR 30 second PSA will be screened before> > each film at AMC
> Loews Georgetown Movie Theatre (Washington, DC) .> > This is just a
glimpse
> of what is currently happening during the ICRI> > International Year of
the
> Reef. A lot of other countries have outreach> > campaign on TV, Radio and
> press. For more information, please visit:> > www.iyor.org> > Best,> >> >
> Francis> >> >> > Francis Staub> > ICRI IYOR Coordinator> > c/o AJH
> Environmental Services 4900 Auburn Avenue - Suite 201 Bethesda,> > MD
20814>
> > http://www.iyor.org http://www.icriforum.org> > Support the
> International Year of the Reef 2008: www.nfwf.org/iyor> >> >> >
> ------------------------------> >> > Message: 6> > Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008
> 13:06:33 -0700> > From: Ida Buffone <buffonei at imsg.com>> > Subject:
> [Coral-List] Job Announcement - Pacific Islands Coastal> > Management
> Specialist> > To: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>> > Message-ID:
> <F088D789-CF49-4D30-906C-2209D5B2FF9F at mimectl>> > Content-Type: text/
>  plain; charset="iso-8859-1"> >> >> > I.M. Systems Group
([1]www.imsg.com),
> a contractor to the National> > Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
> seeks an individual to serve> > as a Pacific Islands Coastal Management
> Specialist. This individual> > will work with the Office of Ocean and
> Coastal Resource Management> > (OCRM), part of NOAA's Ocean Service. OCRM
is
> responsible for> > administering the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of
> 1972, as> > amended, and is a leader in the Nation's coastal and ocean
> management> > issues. To carry out NOAA's responsibilities under the CZMA,
> the OCRM> > Coastal Programs Division (CPD) works directly with coastal
> states and> > territories to support coastal and ocean management efforts,
> provide> > technical and financial assistance, and undertakes projects
with>
> > benefits at both the local and national level. OCRM CPD also works> >
> closely with other NOAA programs such as the Coral Reef Conservation> >
> Program (CRCP) and the NOAA Fisher
>  ies Management program. This> > position will be housed in the NOAA
> Pacific Services Center in> > Honolulu, Hawaii.> >> > The NOAA Pacific
> Services Center's primary goal is to promote> > resilient and sustainable
> island communities. This is accomplished> > through various projects that
> integrate global, science-based> > approaches with local knowledge of the
> resources that is based upon> > generations of experience. To make this
> happen, PSC fosters> > partnerships with organizations in all levels of
> government and the> > private sector to share information, conduct
> trainings, and develop> > management solutions for the islands. Each
effort
> brings PSC closer to> > its goal and strengthens the ties between NOAA and
> the coastal> > managers of the Pacific.> >> > Duties:> >> > ? Serve as the
> lead OCRM/CZM coordinator for the Pacific> > Islands, which will require
> among other activities, coordinating with> > other NOAA agencies in the
> Pacific with regard to CZM Policy and> > progr
>  am implementation activities and other organizations such as the> > All
> Islands CZM committee, CSO;> >> > ? Serve as the NOAA CZM liaison for
Hawaii
> and American Samoa,> > by communicating all aspects of CZM program
planning,
> implementation,> > and evaluation; identifying and working to implement
> specific> > strategies to more effectively meet coastal management> >
> goals/objectives; maintaining financial management of federal CZM> > award
> funding; coordinating post-award actions; reviewing semi-annual> >
> performance reports; and conducting site-visits, and participating in> >
CZM
> program evaluations;> >> > ? Support regional partnership building &
> coordination among> > the Pacific island jurisdictions.> >> >> >
> Qualifications:> >> >> >> > Required:> >> > ? Masters' degree in
> environmental management or policy, or> > land use planning> >> > ? Course
> work and professional experience should include and> > integrated coastal
> management and land use planning issues such as> > haz
>  ards management, beach erosion and shoreline setback programs,> > public
> access, in island settings, preferably in the Pacific Island> > region> >>
>
> ? Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, and> > presentation
> software> >> > ? Ability to work well individually and cooperatively with
a>
> > range of individuals> >> > ? Ability to work on several projects
> simultaneously and to> > shift priorities as needed> >> > ? Familiarity
with
> Hawaiian, Samoan, or other Pacific island> > cultures> >> >> >> >
Desired:>
> >> > ? Three years of integrated coastal management and land use> >
planning
> program or project planning and implementation experience,> > preferably
in
> Hawaii.> >> > ? Grant, contract or project management experience.> >> > ?
> Experience with and knowledge of various aspects of other> > tropical
> resource management techniques including watershed management> > planning,
> and coral reef and marine resource management regimes, e.g.,> > MPAs.> >>
>>
> > To Apply:> >> >> > Qua
>  lified candidates may apply by e-mailing a cover letter, resume,> > and 3
> references (MS Word format strongly preferred) to the following> > email:
> [2]jobs at imsg.com with the subject heading: NOA08016 - Pacific> > Islands
> Coastal Management Specialist> >> >> > The vacancy announcement is open
> until filled. The salary for this> > position is commensurate with
> experience.> >> >> > IMSG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.> >> >> >> >>
>>
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > References> >> > 1.
> http://www.imsg.com/> > 2. mailto:jobs at imsg.com> >> >> >
> ------------------------------> >> > Message: 7> > Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008
> 10:44:18 -0500 (GMT-05:00)> > From: Steve LeGore <slegore at mindspring.com>>
> > Subject: [Coral-List] ICEBI Meeting Announcement/Coral Panel> > To:
Coral
> List <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>> > Message-ID:> > <> >
> 14662444.1217432658408.JavaMail.root at mswamui-bichon.atl.sa.earthlink.net>>
> >> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"> >> >> > Of interest to
coral
>  listers -- see the coral merics theme below> >> >> > 16^th International
> Conference of> >> > Environmental Bioindicators - 2008> >> > Orlando, FL>
>>
> > Meeting Announcement> >> > The 16^th International Conference of
> Environmental Bioindicators> > (16^th ICEBI) is scheduled for 11-14
November
> 2008 in Orlando,> > Florida, USA.> >> > This year?s conference theme is
> MANAGEMENT METRICS, seeking to> > reconcile bioindicator metrics utilized
> and provided by researchers> > with realistic and practical requirements
of
> resource managers and> > policy makers, thereby facilitating effective
> response to critical> > environmental management needs.> >> > In addition
to
> Plenary and Research Presentation Sessions, Roundtable> > Discussion
> Sessions are planned around topics of> >> > - Mercury Bioindicators &
> Biomarkers> >> > - Environmentally-Associated Disease, and> >> > - Coral
> Reefs ? Defining Management Metrics> >> > Abstracts for oral and poster
> presentations will be welcomed at all> >
>  levels of Bioindicator/Biomarker applications, including Biocoenoses> >
> and Ecosystems; Populations and Individuals; Tissues and Organs; and> >
> Cells, Organelles and Molecules. Submissions on Bringing the Science> > of
> Bioindication to End Users, and Bioindicators of Water, Air and> > Soil
> Pollution are also solicited.> >> > The deadline for abstract submission
is
> Monday, 1 September 2008.> > Submission requirements and meeting details
may
> be found at the> > website of the International Society of Environmental
> Bioindicators> > (ISEBI):> >> >> > [1]http://www.bioindicators.org> >> >
> Simply go to the ?Annual Conferences? tab on the upper subject bar,> > and
> click on ?2008 in Orlando, FL.? Registrations and abstract> > submissions
> can be completed on-line at the site.> >> > References> >> > 1.
> http://www.bioindicators.org/> >> >> > ------------------------------> >>
> > Message: 8> > Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:20:30 -0400> > From: Amir Ahmady
<
> 24.ahmady at gmail.com>(via coral-list-
>  owner)> > Subject: [Coral-List] Sea surface temperature of persian gulf
in
> iran> > from 1985 2008> > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> >
> Message-ID: <200807310720.30278.24.ahmady at gmail.com>> > Content-Type:
> text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1> >> > Dear coral listers,> > ?> > I?am
> currently seeking sst data of?Persian Gulf?in Iran from 1985-2008 by> >
> Avhrr satellite with position> >> > Latitude Range used:?? 29.5 to? 20.0>
>>
> >> > Longitude Range used:? 48.8 to? 56.2> >> > ?> > Regards,> > Amir
> Ahmady> >> >> > ------------------------------> >> >
> _______________________________________________> > Coral-List mailing
list>
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> >
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list> >> >> > End of
> Coral-List Digest, Vol 61, Issue 24> >
> ******************************************> >> > > > -- > "Some of the
most
> peaceful moments are lived underwater, while trying to> coexist with that
> world."> _______________________________________________> Coral-Li
>  st mailing list> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> _________________________________________________________________
> Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger.
>
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