Presenters of an Inconvenient Truth As Intermediaries of Environmental Communication
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Presenters of An Inconvenient Truth as Intermediaries of Environmental Communication by Andrew Frank B.A. (Hons., Radio & Television Arts), Ryerson University, 2004 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in the School of Communication Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology © Andrew Frank 2011 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2011 All rights reserved. However, in accordance with the Copyright Act of Canada, this work may be reproduced, without authorization, under the conditions for “Fair Dealing.” Therefore, limited reproduction of this work for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review and news reporting is likely to be in accordance with the law, particularly if cited appropriately. Approval Name: Andrew Frank Degree: Master of Arts Title of Thesis: Presenters of An Inconvenient Truth as Intermediaries of Environmental Communication Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. Katherine Reilly, Assistant Professor Dr. Shane Gunster Senior Supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Martin Laba Supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Meg Holden External Examiner Associate Professor, Urban Studies and Geography Simon Fraser University Date Defended/Approved: December 9, 2011 ii Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. 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Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Last revision: Spring 09 STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, or (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, collaborator or research assistant in a research project approved in advance, or (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Simon Fraser University Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Last update: Spring 2010 Abstract This case study investigates the role of the intermediary in public engagement on climate change, through interviews with twenty Canadian presenters of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. The study explores the relationship between presenters, audiences and The Climate Project Canada (recently renamed the Climate Reality Project Canada), the organization tasked with training and coordinating presenters. Investigating the development and delivery of climate change presentations, the study looks at each unique phase of presenting, including preparation, personal edits and affective engagement with the public. Areas of emphasis include communication of climate change science, spokesperson credibility, localization, rhetorical strategies, humour, narrative and presentation of solutions. The study concludes with recommendations for how to develop more effective forms of public engagement on climate change. Keywords: environmental communication; climate change; public engagement; An Inconvenient Truth; sustainability; social change iii Dedication To Linnet, who has been an unshakeable partner in the production of this thesis. You are my co-author in life. To my parents, Jack and Heather, whose unconditional love has made all the difference, and whose humour and laughter, love of life, as well as strong sense of character and morality play leading roles in these pages. To my sisters, grandparents, family and friends, who have taught me so much and been supportive beyond what I could have ever asked for. And finally, to the brown sunny hills of the South Okanagan, which reflect the sun so beautifully and fuelled the fires of curiosity and environmental concern in me at a young age. Thank you. iv Acknowledgements I want to thank the presenters of An Inconvenient Truth who volunteered their time for interviews. Without your willingness to share your stories, and your own commitment to improving public engagement on climate change, this research would not be possible. I owe deep debts of gratitude intellectually, professionally and most importantly, in terms of friendship, to Dr. Shane Gunster and Dr. Bob Anderson, alongside whom I have had the pleasure of learning and working as a teaching assistant, colleague and friend. Environmental communication and climate change, could not ask for two more intellectually piercing and deeply committed scholars. I also owe a great deal to the School of Communication academic community, including the advice, friendship and support of people like Dr. Martin Laba, Denise Vanderwolf, Lucie Menkveld, Monique Cloutier, Amy Soo and fellow students and colleagues like Candace Le Roy, Sonja Cunningham, Kaia Scott, Milan Singh and many others along the way. Thank you all. It has been an education. v Table of Contents Approval ............................................................................................................................. ii Abstract ............................................................................................................................. iii Dedication ......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ v Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. vi Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter One: Literature Review .................................................................................... 7 Blowing-up the bottleneck ........................................................................................ 7 The challenges posed by climate change ................................................................ 8 Environmental deliberation and public choice theory ............................................. 12 Enter the intermediary ............................................................................................ 18 Research questions ............................................................................................... 20 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 25 Sampling ....................................................................................................... 25 Interview format ............................................................................................. 26 Data collection and interpretation .................................................................. 27 Chapter Two: Cast of Characters ................................................................................ 29 An Inconvenient Truth ............................................................................................ 29 The Climate Project Canada (TCPC) ..................................................................... 31 Presenter training .......................................................................................... 32 TCPC today ..................................................................................................