Choose 1 of the following 2 questions to answer. Your essay should be approximately 2,000 words in length, drawing specifically on class readings and discussion as evidence and to inform your analysis. Use APA citation style for all references.
Your essay is due to me by email at [email protected] by 5pm on Friday April 17.
1) Describe historically what has been the communication and policy focus of major environmental groups including their political strategies relative to climate change. Explain the major critiques offered in the “Death of Environmentalism” essay and then compare them to arguments made by other critics following the failure of cap and trade legislation. In the years since, how are the strategies pursued by groups like 350.org or those financed by Tom Steyer different? What evidence is there that these strategies are effective? What evidence is there that they might be counter-productive?
2) Discuss the different roles that both experts and journalists can play in the climate change debate. Discuss specific roles they can play relative to explaining and contextualizing uncertainty and complexity. Discuss other roles that they might play in defining policy options or in promoting political cooperation. Make sure to discuss the possible advantages or trade-offs to each role.