President aiming for 30% cut in emissions

Obama defends new carbon emission rules in face of mounting backlash | Environment | The Guardian
I found this to be politically balanced, showing the economic impact of a historic move toward lower emissions.  Because it shows the political debate well, it has me thinking students should base survey questions on their readings to collect opinions that will really shape the last assignment well.
What this article makes me wonder about is impact.  How will it improve environmental conditions?  Estimates? How will it impact jobs, exactly?  Estimates?  Can you estimate that accurately? Fairly?

Norfolk policy article revisited

Norfolk, VA. Going, Going, Gone Underwater.
Definitely using in class as a comparison to the other Norfolk SLR article.  As a liberal blog, the language is much more dramatic with block quotes from the other article and additional interpretation and a touch of finger pointing.

Interactive SLR Map

Surging Seas / Cities / Virginia Beach, Virginia
Definitely using in class to discuss maps as a form of visual risk communication.
This map has its usability flaws: difficulty locating a specific street, initial confusion about the meaning of the colors, lack of clear explanation on the map page. It's one of the best I've come across, though.

Norfolk discussions about retreat and adaptation.

In Norfolk, evidence of climate change is in the streets at high tide - The Washington Post

Excellent local case of an economic argument about the current impact of climate change and sea level rise and a few (just a few) efforts to adapt. Mostly it shows a negative outlook.

Agenda-driven science

ThinkProgress: Congressman Denies Manmade Climate Change, Calls It ‘An Agenda-Driven Science’ http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwpqDQrRo

Well, the science is agenda-driven, just like this article is agenda-driven, and just like all communication is agenda-driven. Of course, it is a flaw to admit he can't know the cause while denying the possibility of it being a man-made cause. Anyway, it has me wondering if there's any value in drawing attention to agenda. The congressman seems to use 'agenda' to dismiss views/theories. The writer of the article seems to do the same of the congressman, categorizing him along party lines. Anyway, this is an interesting snapshot of dismissal in the climate change argument.

Sea level rise maps

Lets the infographics do the talking, and takes a subtle verbal approach, saying that cities will likely change before sea levels rise to this extent. Wishful thinking?

http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/what-would-us-look-10-feet-sea-level-rise-20140513

Fear + Hope: Recipe of risk comm success

Fear can be useful when combined with hope. Otherwise, audiences won't respond with enough vigor. Hey look... pathos strategies in risk comm.

The New York Times: Public Attitudes About Climate Change. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIw0dOZrRo