12.1 Mother Nature: Empowering your audience during the most extreme weather events

Friday, 14 June 2024: 3:45 PM
Carolina C (DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront)
Melissa A. Burt, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO

As broadcast meteorologists, we certainly don’t have to explain to you how climate change is worsening the impacts of extreme weather. But there is another audience out there who doesn’t understand what is happening, and desperately craves an empathetic voice to help her protect her children: Moms.

This is where Science Moms can be an incredible ally to meteorologists seeking to connect with their audience in even more meaningful ways. Our nonpartisan organization of climate scientists (who are also moms) are authentic communicators who’ve spent years talking to everyday moms about our changing climate, what’s causing it and what we can all do about it.

Backed by esteemed academic and scientific credentials, the Science Moms are unique in their ability to strike honest conversations. Instead of lecturing, we break down complicated and hot button-issues like air pollution, climate change, clean energy and our childrens’ health with empathy. Through years of outreach, multiple communication channels including advertisements, billboards and social media, and utilizing various tones, we’ve a proven track record in meeting other moms where they’re at. In the last three years of Science Moms, we have been able to build over 500,000 strong suburban mom supporters knowledgeable and ready for action on climate and weather. This equates to 25% of the suburban moms in our five intervention states (GA, PA, NC, WI, AZ).

Above all, we share with your audience a profound love for our children, their future and all future generations. Working together with broadcast meteorologists, we believe we can channel that love to help further engage your audience, educate them on what's happening to our world, and motivate them to take action to protect it.

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