Transcript Rhode Island Global Warming /Climate Change Focus Group Study

Education and Outreach Working
Group Update
Presentation to Greenhouse Gas Stakeholders
Terri Bisson
RI DEM
1/22/04
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Overview of Work To Date
• Market Research
– Focus Group Study
– Environmental Literacy Assessment
• Strategic Plan
• Brown University Climate Change Impact
Analysis
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Focus Group Study
• About the Study
– 2 Groups; 22 participants
– Held 11/20/03; West Warwick, RI
– Demographics
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Age – residents who range in ages 16 – 55+
Gender – equal mix of male and female
Ethnicity – representative of Rhode Island
Home owners or renters who have lived in the same location
for more than one year
• Geography – evenly distributed
• Occupation – mix of blue/white collar and students
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Purposes
• Explore general knowledge of climate
change issues and impacts on Rhode Island
• Identify benefits and barriers to
implementing RIGHG reduction options
• Identify key issues that would help sell
strategies to local residents
• Test some position/framing ad copy
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
General Observations
• Distinct differences between two groups
• More study needed to fill gaps
• Will be done through Environmental
Literacy Assessment and other means
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
General Environment, Connectedness,
Social Responsibility
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Global warming/climate change not a priority
Some progress, but not enough
Americans are wasteful
Not optimistic about Americans changing
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Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Climate Change
• Limited understanding
– What it is
– What causes it
– Impacts/Effects
• No agreement on seriousness of it
• Believe scientist do not agree
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Climate Change
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Global warming more recognizable term
Not sure who should be responsible
Not sure of effects of individual actions
Little knowledge of climate change efforts
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Energy Use and Cars
• Vehicle efficiency incentives
– Disagree on effectiveness and acceptance of in RI
Pro:
Con:
•Save on sales tax
•Larger vehicles safer,
more comfortable
•Save gas money
•Control taxes
•Impact on businesses that
rely on trucks
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Energy Use and Cars
• Vehicle efficiency incentives (con’t)
– Confusion about money
– Suggested possible selling point: profits support
environmental programs
– Believe that people who pay $30-$50K for
vehicle will not change behavior
– Car salespeople encourage larger, more
expensive vehicles
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Energy Use in Home
• Willing to purchase energy saving appliances
• Not willing to purchase smaller, more compact
appliances
• Would support appliance standards, even if it cost
more
• Would support changes to building codes to make
new construction more energy efficient
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Energy Policy
• Divided on voluntarily paying more for
renewable energy
• Most support RPS
– $3.00 increase not much
– Skeptical though about power companies
making the additional money
– Concerned about effects of developing
renewable energy on nature
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Copy Test Samples
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Next Steps
• More research
– Brown University Environmental Literacy
Assessment (Now through June)
– Other: Need resources
• Develop Strategic Outreach/Education Plan
(June)
– Review/comment on outline
• Implementation: Need resources
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Brown University Climate
Change Impact Analysis
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Sea Level Rise Outcomes
Storm Surge Impacts
Economic Impacts
GIS Mapping
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Brown CC Impact Analysis
• Major Findings
– Sea level rise
• 12.4 inch rise = 604 acres lost
– Storm surge similar to Hurricane of 1938
• $124 Billion in damages in 2003 dollars
• 1,100 acres lost
– Category 4 Hurricane w/sea level rise
• Total damage prediction over $849 Billion
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Brown CC Impact Analysis
• Recommendations
– Statewide sea level rise impact analysis every 5
years
– Statewide Planning require Comp Plans of
coastal towns to assess risks according to future
see level rise
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process
Brown CC Impact Analysis
• More information:
http://envstudies.brown.edu/classes/es201/2
003/Impact/impactanalysis_index.htm
• Students:
Erin Bray
Eric Gamage
Allison Sobel
Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Process