Bowman provides strategies to engage public with climate change solutions

Tom Bowman, president of Bowman Global Change and climate science communication expert, will speak to polar researchers, policy and decision makers, and business professionals at the upcoming International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 From Knowledge to Action conference. In his presentation "Overcoming Breakdowns and Engaging the Public," Bowman will identify common engagement barriers and how to remove them in order to create more effective climate science outreach programs.

Bowman, who has designed award-winning climate change exhibits for the National Academy of Sciences Marian Koshland Museum and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, says prioritizing and translating scientific findings for specific audiences enables people to absorb complex content and make informed choices. "We need to help groups of people engage in decision-making together, not just individually. We become more effective communicators when we understand how different audiences process what we are telling them," says Bowman.

David Herring, Communications & Education Program Director, NOAA Climate Program Office, is co-convener for the IPY 2012 session entitled "Communicating Polar Science." Herring says Bowman brings a unique perspective on what the science community needs to do to effectively engage the public. "Having worked closely with scientists while designing exhibits and communication products, Tom thoroughly understands climate science. And he's walked the talk of reducing his own firm's carbon footprint so he understands how to take a balanced approach to growing a business while caring for the environment. Drawing on his experiences, Tom will help science communicators understand how to present climate science to their non-scientist audiences," says Herring.

The IPY 2012 conference will be held in Montréal, Canada from April 22-27.

Provided by Bowman Global Change