Climate Action Group to host program on effective communication skills

Bitterroot Climate Action Group (BCAG) announces a program for learning to communicate effectively about climate change with our friends and neighbors, including those who may hold different views. The event on Wednesday, June 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hamilton City Hall 223 S 2nd St will focus on language and strategies for creating understanding and bipartisan support for moving toward solutions warming climate.

Dave Atkins, a forest ecologist, co-lead of the Missoula Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) and Vice President of the Montana Forest Owners Association, will present this event. Topics include:

• Advocacy through Print Media for contacting elected officials and writing letters to the editor, including CCL’s guidelines and techniques making the process easier and more effective.

• Connecting with Differing Views, including how CCL has honed language, tools, and strategies around the evolving climate to build understanding and bipartisan approaches.

• Holding Candidates Accountable, including approaches to promoting voting with climate, change in mind and making sure candidates’ positions/solutions on climate are clearly understood.

Following on BCAG’s video presentations in April and May on Climate Solutions 101, this seminar is intended to gather folks wanting to “Find their Voice” to express concern and take positive action in a coordinated and effective way. BCAG intends to establish a team in this area for ongoing advocacy work.

BCAG’s mission is “People of the Bitterroot Valley taking action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and mitigate or change human activities that contribute to climate change, acting with respect and civility to all.”

For more information on this event contact: Peter Reynolds, Chair, Bitterroot Climate Action Group, 406-381-4829, chair@bitterrootcag.org