A Conversation About Global Warming and Climate Change

Conversations about global warming and climate change have become more popular lately. Recent natural disasters may have sparked these conversations for some, but others have been framing these same types of conversations for some time, the difference is some companies/organizations have worked to control the global warming and climate change conversation by skewing facts and creating ideas based on false pretense. This is what I learned through reading the book "Climate Cover-Up" by James Hoggan with Richard Littlemore.

In "Climate Cover-Up," Hoggan and Littlemore discuss those people and organizations that are contibuting to the denial of global warming and climate change. These industries include the oil and coal organizations. In chapter 7, "Think Tank Tactics," Hoggan and Littlemore provide information about Exxonsecrets, an organization created to expose the Exxon Mobile's denial of climate change. Reportedly, $20 million was invested to negate and/or question the validity of climate change (Hoggan, 80). This shows that organizations such as Exxon are creating million-dollar public relations campaigns, not to acknowledge the effects of their companies and work have on humans and the earth, but rather to manipulate facts and compromise the integrity of their organizations. This is a issue I hope can catch the attention of others.

The initial purpose for reading "Climate Cover-Up" was for a discussion in my case studies course in public relations. My class had the opportunity to Speak with James Hoggan via Skype which I enjoyed. Hoggan provided more information about companies that deny and oppose climate change. What stands out to me are the companies such as Exxon, Phillip Morris and Vaulner and Associates that have created think tanks, and have participated in forging letters of opposition to congressional leaders. This is ridiculous; none of these organizations have specialized scientist that they work with to support their message.

To me it is easy to see that companies do not want to come clean. However, this is not acceptable. As a soon-to-be public relations practitioner I am passionate about the ethical interpretation and integrity of a company,any PR person should be. Hogan's book shows that some PR professionals have not acted as advocates for just and fair communication about their organization. The implications of this deception can and will be great once more individuals learn about what certain companies are doing.

Hoggan mentions in Chapter 1, "Lifeguards and Lemmings," that some people were "bad advisors" and have failed to protect the public from misinformation. Hogan is referencing the media.(Hoggan, 14).

Nonetheless, Hoggan encourages us that by reading his book we are taking the first step in learning about global warming and climate change; therefore, we can become a part of the solution to it. (Hoggan, 15). I believe we must become advocates ourselves, acknowledging and helping to educate others of the lies companies are telling the public. We must start our own conversations.

Framing

What is framing? Is it another word for spinning?

Framing is a strategic approach to communication. According to an article written by The FrameWorks Institute Strategic Frame Anaylisis, framing "refers to the construct of a communication-its language, visuals and messengers and the way it signals to the listener or observer how to interpret and classify new information."
So, framing is not to be confused with spinning. Framing allows a message to connect and reinforce ideals that are complementary to the reader.

Chris Mooney speaks of Susan Nall Bales in the article "Breaking the Frame." Nalls is the president of the FramWorks Institute and is attributed with creating the idea of "strategic frame anaylisis." Framing allows a message to connect and reinforce ideals that are complementary to the reader. Nalls believes that as people we have "frames" that are set ideals, judgments, etc., that dictate our outlook and opinion on an array of concepts.

Public relations practitioners especially use framing tailor-fit their messages for their publics. This takes research and careful attention to social science. The idea of framing is especially important because in order for a public to act on a message or agree with it, its members must first identify with it. This is key to good public relations.