What resources or areas of training could help educators become stronger in this area? Missimer: We need resources to improve education spe- cifically about climate. We need training on how to initiate behavior and thought change when it comes to climate— without shaming people. This can be a controversial topic, and we need to know how to manage these discussions. We’re a science-driven organization; having resources and training to communicate information in a neutral way is important. Edwards: Our model could be adapted in other regions. South Dakota State university has a longstanding webinar series that started in 2015, and all of these are archived on our website and on YouTube. We have also offered mini- grants and helped with publications for individuals or states to start up or augment their own climate programs.
Doyle: There are strategies around communicating with people who are resistant to discussions about climate change. We talk about weather versus climate, adaptation versus mitigation, discussing how to deal with volatility in weather. We have to stay away from blaming.
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We need training on how to initiate behavior and thought change when it comes to climate— without shaming people. —Amanda Missimer
Clinical Assistant Professor University of Rhode Island
Why are CES educators well-suited to work in the climate space?
Why are you drawn to a program that focuses on mitigating the impacts of climate change?
Doyle: One strength is that Extension is centrally located in an ecosystem of producers, universities, agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. We serve an important role as a kind of integrator, working on the ground among different interests. We’re also perceived as being fairly unbi- ased. Speirs: We really reach people throughout their entire lifespan. We’re a trusted entity in the communities where we work. We’re bringing them unbiased scientific informa- tion. McDonald: I’m not sure that Extension professionals see themselves as being well-positioned to do this work. A climate change needs assessment of some of our family and consumer science colleagues was conducted here at the University of Arizona: 82% of those who responded said they don’t do climate change work. I would contend they probably do, but they may not be thinking of it in those terms. So I think part of being well-positioned to do this work within Extension is to really help our colleagues understand they are better positioned than perhaps they thought they were.
Missimer: What’s great is that Extension has so many people who view climate through different lenses. I view climate through the nutrition lens. Some of my colleagues think about it through the lens of planting and growing food. And others consider climate through the lenses of en- vironmental or economic impacts. So I can get really nice contributions through these different Extension lenses— the food system from A to Z, and every piece in between. Edwards: Social science research has shown that in the North Central region, Extension is among the more trust- ed organizations of agriculture advisors. We also have staff spread out in the communities, either in regional or coun- ty offices. We are experts in bridging research to decisions and management or applications on the ground.
Venturini: Households are the biggest contributors of wasted food. I love that this project activates people to help their neighbors, family, and friends do better. We’ve really built a culture of collaboration in Rhode Island and can’t wait to see the impact it’ll have in other parts of the country. Edwards: Tackling the problems in more than one way helps us to reach a broader audience to take into account the 30 percent or so of farmers who are skeptical of cli- mate change in our region. Many of the practices that we advocate are beneficial in other ways, such as increasing productivity, becoming more resilient to weather and cli- mate extremes, increasing economic return to the farm or ranch, and conserving natural resources for the long run. Missimer: I’m a bench scientist by training. And now I’m in the community space. Food insecurity increased during the pandemic. Not only are we hurting our environment, but people are hungry, even though we’re producing enough food. Why are people not able to get it? Food re- covery work is a personal and professional mission for me.
Speirs: In Arizona, you can’t ignore the impacts of climate change. Through Extension work in our commu- nities, we see how climate change is impacting people. I want to provide resources to help people think about what they can do to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change in their communities. Doyle: I live and work in rural South Dakota. I love the landscape and the lifestyle. I want to make sure we can keep these working landscapes functional and ecologically and economically viable. I think that goes along with what others have said: It’s about finding the things that you can have an effect on in your local area and making change there. McDonald: My area is financial education, which is connected with nutrition and other consumer behaviors. I love the idea of reducing food waste in the household, of being a conscientious consumer. I think that’s important for people to think about, regardless of climate change. We are agents of change. Given the proper motivation, we can make change in our behaviors and in our communities with the right motivation, tools, and strategies. ·
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2023-2024 YEARBOOK | EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE
EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE | 2023-2024 YEARBOOK
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