c change

Common Sense Climate Change

Rachel MyslivyProgram Director, Climate + Energy Project

• Plan A: Climate Change Basics

• Hedging your bets, using best judgment

• Talking Climate Change in Kansas

• Plan B: Talking Climate Change without

Talking Climate Change

Climate Change Basics

• Earth is warming• Rainfall, floods, droughts, intense rain, heat waves. • Oceans warming, becoming more acidic, sea levels

rising• Ice caps are melting.

Humans are largely responsible for recent climate change

Talking Climate Change in Kansas

• Erratic weather is nothing new

• Messaging

• Religion, Politics and Climate Change

Talking Climate Change in KansasHeartland Values• Conservatism• Stewardship• Community• Thrift• Innovation

Major Goals of the ChallengeChange efficiency from sacrifice to “we win”.

Engage communities in conversations about energy

efficiency.

Make serious reductions in carbon emissions in the

Heartland.

• HART

• provides information and a forum giving local decision-makers tools to guide transmission and energy decisions affecting them and their communities.

• A diverse group of stakeholders from the eight states that make up the Southwest Power Pool (SPP)

On Farm Water and Energy Efficiency Project• Will identify and spotlight innovations in energy efficiency

and water conservation on Kansas farms.

• A diverse steering committee will collaboratively identify

what constitutes an innovative practice and then nominate

exemplary Kansas farmers.

• Farmers leading the way in water and energy usage will be

recognized for their leadership and innovation.

PLAN “B” Talking Climate Change without Talking Climate Change

• Meet people where they are

• Identify common causes

• Build durable relationships across differences

• Work together to achieve common-sense gains

Climate and Energy Project

www.climateandenergy.org