Speaking up on change

THE need for communication strategies to help regional communities respond to the growing challenge of climate change was the subject of a two-day workshop hosted by Monash University Gippsland recently.
Facilitated by Fulbright scholar Professor Sam H. Ham from The University of Idaho, and Professor John Martin from La Trobe University, the forum included senior representatives from communities and major organisations across Gippsland, including the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Latrobe City Council, the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Loy Yang Power and Clean Coal Victoria.
The forum also included local researchers interested in working with stakeholders and the community.
Citing earlier research with regional communities in both Australia and the USA, Professor Ham said effective communication strategies could play a key role in changing individual behaviours and help the community to transform to a low carbon economy.
“Whatever effective sustainability entails, it must involve not only the top-end policy makers, but also the grass roots level, with individual people living within local communities.
“We know enough science right now to save the planet, and know enough about communication to change behaviour.”
Professor Ham added that the communication strategies outlined at the workshop were about empowering individuals and their communities through providing tools and resources that local leaders could use to encourage positive responses to climate change and support the transition to low carbon economies.
Fellow researcher Professor John Martin emphasised the importance of having constructive dialogue with local communities.
He said he firmly believed there was the talent and ability available to achieve positive outcomes in regional Victoria.
Key issues raised by stakeholders during the forum included the need for climate change messages to be conveyed in a simple but effective form, concern that business opportunities were being missed by not directing efforts towards sustainability, and the importance of supporting workers as regional industries made the transition to a low carbon future.
The forum was the fifth and final instalment in a series of workshops conducted across regional Victoria and was supported by a Fulbright fellowship.
Following the forum, Professors Ham and Martin met with policy makers in Melbourne to present their findings and highlight how central government can work with the regions to foster climate change adaptations.