Leveraging Web-Based Platforms such as the Early Career Climate Forum to Enhance Climate Change Communication and Engagement

 In this seminar, Ezra Markowitz, Assistant Professor of Environmental Decision-Making at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will present some of the new platforms that he and others associated with the NECSC have been developing over the past year as well as highlight their potential to advance communication efforts.The abstract, complex nature of climate change poses a number of challenges for scientists and other communicators interested in engaging diverse audiences with the issue. A number of new web-based platforms provide opportunities for more effective communication as well as network- and relationship-building among scientists, advocates and interested citizens. In this seminar, I will present some of the new platforms that I and others associated with the NECSC have been developing over the past year as well as highlight their potential to advance communication efforts.

Markowitz's research focuses on the intersection of decision-making, persuasive communication and environmental sustainability. He is the author of over 20 peer-reviewed research papers, book chapters, and reports, including the recently released Connecting on Climate guide to climate change communication. At UMass Amherst, Markowitz teaches courses on Environmental Decision-Making and Public Engagement and Communication for Scientists. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, Studies & Policy and an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Oregon, as well as a B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College.