Pullman Community Center

INTER COMMUNICATION
To:
From:
Subject:
Date:

Jim Heathers, Head of Pullman Community Center Programs

Elyse Waham, Pullman Committee Member
Global Warming Education/Outreach Program
March 4th, 2016

The purpose of this memo is to show the results of the research that has been done thus far on
putting together a new program at the community center about global warming. The goal is to
teach members of the community what global warming is, what they can do to minimize their
contribution of carbon emissions and create a support group for these behaviors.
Summary
Lowering ones carbon emissions is an important part of being a citizen of the Earth. We
all share one planet and therefore, all of its resources. However, some things on the Earth are
hard to regulate such as the atmosphere and the environment. This is why global warming is such
a large scale problem that can daunt an individual who is concerned, but there is still hope yet.
Studies have been conducted that found encouraging lower carbon emissions on the community
level is an effective way to make an impact. If we educate and create community groups whose
focus is to be environmentally friendly we can as individuals make a difference. Such changes
could be as small as choosing reusable bags when shopping, to buying and maintaining energy
efficient appliances. These environmentally conscious behaviors if acted upon on the level of a
community over the United States could reduce carbon emission by 7.4% (Dietz, T.).
Introduction
Global warming is a phenomenon that affects all who duel on Earth. It is also caused by
humans and how they chose to interact with the environment. It is a fact that humans have put
more carbon dioxide and other gases into the environment than can be reabsorbed through
natural processes (IPCC). It has been portrayed in the past that big industry is where most carbon
output comes from and while it is a major contributor, households also are contributors. Industry
requires policy change, which is a long laborious process that requires lots of people and
cooperation (Dietz, T.), which can be hard to come by. However, a community making
environmentally conscious changes will not only benefit the environment and others but also
could eventually lead to policy change (Whitmarsh, L.). This is why it is so important to educate
and encourage the public on the community level to make conscious decisions in their everyday
behaviors as concerning the environment.
Research Methods
The methods employed for this question was conducted in a twostep process with
primary and secondary research. Primary research was done in the form of interviewing fellow
students on Washington State Campus on what they thought or knew about global warming. In
addition climate change has come to my attention initially though observation. Secondary
research involved looking though scientific peer reviewed articles mostly but also looked into the
source of where global warming research is published, the International Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC). In addition I came across a relevant podcast called The Adaptors that discusses
how one can reduce their carbon emissions. Some of the papers viewed talked specifically about
how to implement change on the community level to educate and get the public to participate in

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green behaviors. Other papers discussed the behaviors that make the biggest impact on lowering
ones carbon emissions. All this information was then read though and the key points are
presented here.
Results:
Task 1: Acquire basic understanding of global warming and its worldly implications
Consensus from students collected from Washington State University found that most
students have heard of global warming. Most knew little about the specifics of global warming
and how it was truly affecting our environment. It seemed that students were aware that it was a
problem but did not know of many ways they could contribute to a solution. This validated the
need for further research on ways that individuals could make a difference in their carbon
emissions.
Through secondary research that was conducted it was found that putting emphasis on
how to reduce carbon emissions is more important than having an in depth discussion and
education on what global warming is. In one study it was found that most people feel bogged
down by the jargon used to describe global warming and therefore, feel disconnected from it
(Whitmarsh, L.). In the study titled low-carbon communities as a context for individual
behavioral change it suggested that the best way to encourage public participation in
environmentally friendly acts is to create support for it, such as a community group. This kind of
group provides education on green habits, new social conventions and an infrastructure that
facilitate an environmentally conscious lifestyle (Heiskanen, E.).
Task 2: Acquire basic understanding of what steps can be done for individuals to reduce
their carbon footprints
It was found that there are different kinds of behaviors that contribute to how people
make choices. As discussed in public engagement of carbon and climate change: To what extent
is the public carbon capable? [t]he ability to make informed judgments and to take effective
decisions regarding the use and management of carbon, through both individual behavior change
and collective action [include] [d]ecision making, individual behavior or practice, broader
engagement with systems of provision and governance (Whitmarsh, L). This means that the
multiple elements that contribute to making better decisions concerning the environment consist
of an individuals choices, habits and participation in community groups. It is thought that most
people make poor choices [i]nconspicuous[ly], habitual[ly] and routine[ly] rather than the result
of conscious decision making (Whitmarsh, L.).
So then what kind of behaviors are those that we can make that will result in a positive
impact on global warming? According to the article household actions can provide a behavioral
wedge to rapidly reduce US carbon emissions home weatherization and upgrades of heating
and cooling equipment; more efficient vehicles and nonheating and cooling home equipment;
equipment maintenance; equipment adjustments, and daily use behaviors make big impact in a
households carbon emissions. The Adaptors suggests that behaviors such as using public
transportation, flying less, eating local produce, consuming less meat, recycling/composting and
choosing to have fewer children are all environmentally friendly choices. It was found that there
are many choices that individuals can make that lower ones carbon emissions and that do not
reduce a household or individuals well-being.

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Task 3: Community outreach
Through this investigation it was found that community outreach is very important in
implementing these ideas. However, what is the most effective way to approach the community?
Low-carbon communities as a context for individual behavioral change review several different
ways that communities around that world have done this. In Manchester, England a community
group was founded called Manchester is My Planet (MiMP) that worked with local authorities,
universities, business and citizens to educate and instill behavioral change. They utilized
something they called Rules of the Game that encouraged mainstream public involvement
using a positive message that was all inclusive. This organization also reached out to partner with
various local organizations and would send out regular emails, newsletters and hold events to
encourage involvement. They ultimately made a 20% reduction of their carbon dioxide emissions
(Heiskanen, E.).
Another kind of community organization called Green Office in Finland tried a slightly
different approach. Green Office encouraged low-carbon workplaces and lifestyles through
certifications and training programs. They implemented community networking with emails,
eventually reaching 200 offices and 20,200 participating employees (Heiskanen, E.). Green
Office would certify staff in the office who would create programs for the office and staff that
was centered on efficiency, renewable resources and sustainable living. This program reduced all
those who are participating emissions by 12% (Heiskanen, E.).
Carbonarium is a not for profit, non-governmental organization in Hungry that generates
general public awareness of carbon emissions. This organization encourages individuals to track
their carbon dioxide emissions and compare with others within the group (Heiskanen, E.). These
statistics that they gather are then used to make mitigation measurements and is what they base
their membership fees off of. Carbonarium encourages voluntary education for individuals and
organizations through meetings, socialization and support. They have successfully spread
awareness and cut their carbon emissions (Heiskanen, E.).
Conclusion
People need education and support to make decisions that will lower their carbon
emissions. It is important to emphasis this on the community level because that is where it is
seen to make the most impact. There is a need for a general knowledge about what global
warming is and how it affects the Earth but not necessarily an in depth, technical knowledge to
make an individual want to help. Community outreach and programs create an excellent place
for people to get educated on carbon matters and how to make an impact as well as to see that
there are others that care too. It is found that [i]ndividuals clearly have a key role to play in any
potential shift towards a low carbon society and that is why it is important for the community
center to make steps to facilitate the public in this (Whitmarsh, L). If we do not work
together, individuals stand little chance of seriously reducing their carbon emissions
(Heiskanen, E.).
Recommendations
After this research I would still suggest that there be a community committee meeting to
further discuss global warming on the community level in Pullman. I think it would reinforce the
idea of green behaviors if as a community center we looked at how we could also be greener.
This would encourage others in the community to do the same if we lead by example. I also
think it would be good to look into doing more community outreach and form a community

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group/program whose focus is on lowering individuals carbon emissions and creating an
environment of support for those behaviors.
Works Cited / References
Boehmer-Christiansen, S. "Science, Equity, and the War against Carbon." Science, Technology &
Human Values 28.1 (2003): 69-92. Web. Feb. 2016.
Dietz, T., G. T. Gardner, J. Gilligan, P. C. Stern, and M. P. Vandenbergh. "Household Actions Can
Provide a Behavioral Wedge to Rapidly Reduce US Carbon Emissions." Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences 106.44 (2009): 18452-8456. Web. Feb. 2016.
Heiskanen, Eva, Mikael Johnson, Simon Robinson, Edina Vadovics, and Mika Saastamoinen.
"Low-carbon Communities as a Context for Individual Behavioural Change." Energy Policy
38.12 (2010): 7586-595. Elsevier. Web. Feb. 2016.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Ipcc.ch. By Lisa Alexander and Myles Allen.
Cambridge University Press, 2013. Web. Feb. 2016.
Lichtman, Flora. Podcast. New York: Itunes, 2015. Audio.
Whitmarsh, Lorraine. "Public Engagement with Carbon and Climate Change: To What Extent Is
the Public carbon Capable?" Public Engagement with Carbon and Climate Change: To What
Extent Is the Public 'carbon Capable'? Elsevier, Feb. 2011. Web. Feb. 2016.