[Coral-List] messages for the public?

[Ogden, John]

Hi Ellen,

Uniquely among most (if not all) on the Coral-List, you have worked over years to target young elementary and secondary school students who are impressionable, sponges for knowledge and on the cusp of making life decisions that will affect the future in myriad ways.  Thanks for doing this.

To your question:  I suggest targeting your message to the Big Three: Pollution (land based pollution (runoff, disposal, and aerial sources); Resource Extraction (fishing, mining, dredging); and Climate Change.  As you have done in your earlier books, use easily-understood, well-illustrated story-based messages with charismatic young people recognizing problems and solving them, not with ease but with difficulty, and growing in confidence and gathering allies as they go.

I will stop here before I start trying to tell you how to do stuff that you do so well.

Cheers and best regards, John

-----Original Message-----
From: Coral-List <coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> On Behalf Of Ellen Prager via Coral-List
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 1:33 PM
To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Subject: [Coral-List] messages for the public?

Dear Coral List friends and colleagues

What do you think are the top three messages the public and youth need to hear and learn about coral reefs right now (beyond the obvious and overall message that coral reefs are in serious trouble).

I've spent much of my time over the last several decades trying to find ways to reach the public, particularly the non-choir, and engage them in learning about the ocean, marine life, environmental issues, etc.

Several years ago, it was pointed out to me that I (we) had not targeted a very influential and important age group - middle graders (8 to 12 years old). They are discovering their potential career and life-long interests and have significant influence over their peers and parents (and sometimes can even reach politicians).

Thus, I started writing adventure novels targeted at middle graders that combine action, humor, and relatable characters with fun learning about science, nature, and environmental issues.

My latest series is The Wonder List Adventures published by Tumblehome Books. Book one was Escape Galapagos, the second released in April is Escape Greenland (underlying theme of climate change) and I am beginning to write the third book in the series, which will be Escape Undersea with a focus on coral reefs. Check out the wonderful reviews on amazon.

Would love your feedback and input on what messages I should include in the book - other than the obvious, coral reefs are in trouble. And if you have any funny stories based on real experiences that can help to make the science fun, please share.

In the back of each book is a section Real vs Made-Up in which I ask the readers to decide what in the story is based on real science and what is pure fiction. This is hugely popular with educators, readers and in talks. It provides a great opportunity to point to further learning and to educate about causes of coral reef decline as well as the value to society/ocean coral reefs provide.

Thank you
Ellen

Dr. Ellen Prager
Earth2Ocean, Inc/StormCenter Communications Ph 305.720.7070 @elprager Latest Book: Escape Greenland


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