Hi.

My name is Erika Maher.

This is my strategy (so far).

2005:

b.a. in anthropology

2009-2011:
taught kids how to read

2011-2012:
public outreach for NYSERDA

climate action planner for red hook, NY

looking ahead to 2018

may 2013

goal:

to help the environmental movement get away from this...

Below: "Read ‘Communicating the Science of Climate Change,’ published in the October 2011 issue of Physics Today..."

google images

1

negative imagery

2 

 confusing charts + graphs

climate progress

1

 unrelatable banter

"If you want to know how to debunk those who peddle bunk, LIKE this post!... A Climate Flowchart To De-Confuse the Confused - And To Defuse The Confusers"

2

sarcasm + politics

"Climate change is poised to turn New Mexico into a dust bowl, so of course NM State U may pick a denier for its President."

...and address the disconnect between:

environmentalists + scientists

companies

the public

makers...

to get things looking a little more like this...

futerra (sustainability communications)

"...before you put leaves and an attractive couple cycling on your website, you need to have a strategy."

(what)

in other words,

i want to help develop smart, effective environmental communications to affect consumer culture and resource conservation...

(how)

...by appropriating the knowledge of those most successful at influencing behavior - 

(how)

...and re-purposing it.

(how)

- smart applications of user experience (UX) (design+tech+psychology)

(how)

- audience-appropriate messaging 

(how)

- awareness of mainstream culture

(how)

- and realistic understandings of "barriers to entry."

(how)

in other words,

no more graphs,

no more maps,

no more shaming,

no more politics.

(how)

tap into growing corporate recognition:

 “those who do good 

will do well.”

(who)

- interest by businesses + a more educated public...

(who)

- environmentalists and scientists not trained or skilled to interface with the public

(who)

- subversive factions of the "maker movement" whose work could affect:

       - clean energy generation

       - climate-hardy crops/food sources

       - water desalination and recycling

(so, what if we could

create a network between:)

corporate entities 

corporate entities

communicators 

corporate entities

communicators 

environmentalists 

corporate entities

                   communicators ------- scientists

environmentalists 

corporate entities

makers ------- communicators ------- scientists

  environmentalists 

(uncertainties)

- how successful will i be at network building?

- how translatable will common advertising methods be to mission-driven campaigns?

- will it be best to focus my efforts on an employed position, or as a free agent/business owner?

(first next steps)

- focus on data/information representation at ITP

- practice translating learning into entertainment

- learn UX and advertising from the experts

(next next steps)

work internationally 

- to learn how these issues are met by different cultures

- to help international policy-making efforts coalesce more effectively with improved public support and demand

Time's up!

Thank you.