J500 Media and the Environment

Does – and if so, how – air and water pollution matter to them, in mobilizing their community on this issue?

To what extent are they concerned about how changes or deteriorations in the environment can create problems with human health?
Do they see these problems such as chronic asthma or acute diseases like the increased insect, rodent, and disease vectors created by climate change
Can they conceive of fighting climate change as a preventative health care measure?
Climate change is projected to bring new disease vectors as ecosystems shift. 
Are healthcare workers prepared to cope with these risks?  How is addressing climate change protecting future health?

What is their vision for the future of agriculture on the Great Plains – and how long is it? 10 years? 20 years? Just till retirement?
In terms of their experience, how will it change agriculture if precipitation patterns become more extreme, if temperatures rise, and there are fewer winter freezes?
What sort of adaptations will they have to make, and how much will they cost? Is it worth the risk?

How do “green collar” jobs (i.e. manufacturing, operation & maintenance, etc.) provide quality, livable wage jobs for US workers?
With many jobs being shipped overseas, how do jobs in the renewables and efficiency sectors mitigate that?
How can US workers be part of the movement to rebuild our economy in a renewable energy future?
Where do you get your information on climate change and the environment?
Is there a need for continuing education or new training for you to transition into the new energy economy?

“I’m also interested in making faith communities relevant to economic, political, and social conversations on climate change, but to do that, faith communities have to see themselves as relevant to the outside world, instead of as so isolated.”
These messages should be applicable both to clergy and to lay people.
What have major faith traditions had to say about climate change?
What do most religions call their faithful to do on this issue?
How does earth stewardship translate into action on climate change?
What topics currently seem to be occupying the attention of faith groups- and how does climate change relate to those?  

What policymakers actually care about, versus what they say they care about, are sometimes lightyears different.
They care most about survival, whether they be in administrative or legislative capacity. Judiciary and regulatory thinks everyone else can go to hell. All of them, though, find themselves on the spot to provide actual leadership in trying times, when what 99% want to do is play it safe and stick to the status quo. So hopefully your group has fun with that. Finding a message that can soothe their fears yet lead them out of the safety zone. Capture the Flag.
There’s a good chance that the economic angle of climate change–long-term cost savings, job creation, tax revenue, will be guiding points for lawmakers  (at least this year).