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Past Event
Seminar

The Public Divide over Climate Change: Science, Skeptics and the Media

Open to the Public

Join us for our new spring seminar series on "Climate Change & the Media," sponsored by the Belfer Center's Environment and Natural Resources Program and the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy

Speakers: Andrew C. Revkin, The New York Times "Dot Earth" blogger; Matthew Nisbet, American University School of Communication assistant professor; Discussant, Professor Thomas E. Patterson, HKS Shorenstein Center.

Date: Time: - Location: Taubman Building - Nye B, 5th Floor
Andy Revkin covering demonstrations on the international day of climate action in Copenhagen.

About

First in a new spring seminar series on "Climate Change & the Media," sponsored by the Belfer Center's Environment and Natural Resources Program and the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy.

Climate change coverage has greatly increased in the international mainstream press and in the opinion-driven blogosphere in recent years, including the recent focus on "Climategate" science emails, the US congressional debate and the United Nations Copenhagen conference. Surveys show that the American public is among the most divided in terms of agreement with scientific findings that climate change is a serious manmade threat that requires urgent action in the United States and abroad.  The public divide appears to be increasing in this country, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.This seminar will focus on the role of the media in communicating about climate change science, policy and politics to the general public and the influence on public opinion. The seminar will look at ways to improve the public dialogue over climate change.

Andrew C. Revkin: The New York Times "Dot Earth" blogger and journalist, Senior Fellow, Pace University Academy for Applied Environmental Studies

Matthew Nisbet: Assistant Professor, American University School of Communication, "Framing Science" blogger, climate change public opinion expert

Thomas Patterson (discussant): Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press, Shorenstein Center, HKS

All are welcome and invited to attend. Lunch will be served. Admittance will be on a first-come, first serve basis.

Mark your calendars for two upcoming seminars:

Thursday, March 4, 1:00-2:30 p.m. "Climate Policy and Politics: Covering Conflict in the Capitol, Copenhagen and Beyond." Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post; Eric Pooley, Bloomberg.com. Nye BC, Taubman Building, 5th Floor

Wednesday, March 31, 1:00-2:30 p.m. "Techno-Optimism or Pessimism: 'Fixing' the Planet's Climate Problems." Bryan Walsh, Time magazine; Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone & The New York Times Magazine. Bell Hall, Belfer, 5th Floor

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