Proposal to the Marisla Foundation To be submitted online MAX 4 pages

Transcription

1 RESOURCE MEDIA PROPOSAL Proposal to the Marisla Foundation To be submitted online MAX 4 pages NARRATIVE ITEM 1: ABOUT RESOURCE MEDIA/CYLVIA HAYES Cylvia Hayes joins the Resource Media team to address the serious and timely issue of ocean acidification (OA). Hayes has a long professional track record in ecological conservation, clean energy, climate change, and sustainable economic development. She intends to combine policy development expertise, convening ability and compelling speaking and writing to catalyze action to address ocean acidification through the Healthy Oceans Healthy Economy project. NARRATIVE ITEM 2: DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT PROGRAM. INCLUDES SPECIFIC GOALS OBJECTIVES The best way to draft this section would to provide a set up paragraph for a bulleted list of object we hope to accomplish. Proceed by using each of those bulleted objectives as a header to provide more the strategy and the specific activities we will carry out to accomplish the objective. The goal of the Healthy Oceans Healthy Economy (HOHE) project is to encourage elected officials, business and community leaders and other key decision makers to undertake new initiatives to address ocean acidification, with the long-term goal of creating momentum for the development of clean energy and other solutions that can help slow down ocean acidification. Strategies: We will achieve that goal through the following strategies: Target Decision Makers Convene Strategic Stakeholders Speaking Engagements Public and Media Outreach Target Decision Makers

2 Hayes has been instrumental in raising awareness among policy makers about the seriousness of ocean acidification. In November 2012 Hayes convened strategic policy advisors for the governors of Washington, Oregon and California to share each state s current approach to ocean acidification and explore the opportunities for a more robust regional approach. Since that meeting, and as a result of Hayes continued shepherding, the West Coast Governor s Alliance on Ocean Health (WCGA) has added acidification as a priority action area. In addition, Washington State has shown leadership on OA through the establishment of a Blue Ribbon Panel and the first comprehensive study of the OA issue in the West Coast region. The Healthy Oceans Healthy Economies campaign will build on these efforts and focus primarily on mobilizing decision makers to move OA solutions forward. The WCGA will be a key asset in helping advance policy goals that address ocean acidification, along with the Pacific Coast Collaborative, the California Ocean Protection Council, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) and state agencies. HOHE will specifically work to: Encourage establishment of a collaborative Oregon / California working group within the West Coast Governors Alliance on Ocean Health (WCGA) to share technical understanding, data and information. Advocate for a single West coast-wide OA monitoring network to assess the level of OA in all three states and put baseline data in place. In addition to supporting the work of these policy development agencies, HOHE will raise awareness about the seriousness of ocean acidification among state and federal lawmakers. Convening Strategic Stakeholders We will build awareness and momentum by highlighting OA impacts on the industries important to coastal communities, especially those economies driven by oyster and Dungeness crab production. We will mobilize diverse stakeholders to prioritize OA and build awareness on the link between ocean conservation investments and local, regional and national clean economies. Commented [JM1]: How? Commented [JM2]: How will we convene these stakeholders? Targeted interest groups include elected officials, tribes, shellfish and fishing industries, clean energy businesses, energy and climate change advocates, and ocean conservation advocates. On the latter, there is a significant opportunity to build momentum for OA policies by aligning clean energy and climate advocates and ocean conservation advocates around a unified agenda and message. Currently there is surprisingly little awareness about the OA issue within the clean energy and climate arena. Speaking Engagements The HOHE project will leverage Hayes professional expertise, communications skills and unique combination of roles. This campaign will research and secure opportunities for her to reach targeted audiences through personal appearances. Ms. Hayes has solid credentials with the Marisla Foundation 2

3 clean energy sector, and can introduce ocean issues to a familiar and friendly audience. In addition, the marine conservation movement is excited about her engagement on the OA issue, and will welcome her knowledge and enthusiasm. While it is premature to advance the clean energy message, this early bridge building will have a significant pay-off once the campaign is in a position to focus on solutions. Public and media outreach The credibility of the public OA message on the West Coast lies in the messenger. Establishing Hayes -- an economic development and clean economy leader with a high public profile and strong rural ties -- as one of OA s ambassadors, along with the faces of impacted businesses and communities, can capture more attention and interest than the usual suspects, which to date have been from the science or conservation community. Through strategically placed opinion editorials in major state newspapers, media alerts and press releases on local activities and appearances, and development of story narratives on her efforts, the campaign will endeavor to make Cylvia Hayes name synonymous with the OA effort, and give the issue some muchneeded star power, branding Hayes as one of the go-to voices for reporters on the West Coast. Commented [JM3]: Is there also a need to amplify OA? NARRATIVE ITEM 3: REASONS JUSTIFYING PROPOSED ACTIVITIES This is just a regular background section. Outline the need, and more importantly why and how Resource Media can address it. Ocean acidification is one of the fastest growing threats to marine life, fisheries, economies and the food supply for the human species. Yet, relatively few people know about OA or why it is happening. Compounding the problem is the challenge of communicating this complex issue and making a case for action. While OA is a direct result of CO2 emissions, linking it to climate change can trigger a politicized debate that erodes the main message of ocean conservation. Therefore, the narrative on OA must first explain the problem, emphasize the economic and social impacts on coastal communities using real people, places and businesses, and motivate communities and state and local governments to take action in practical ways. Ironically, despite relatively bold leadership on clean energy and climate policies, the West Coast of North America is bearing disproportionate damages from carbon emissions. Due to the unique structure of the coastline and system of currents, the West Coast is experiencing the highest levels of ocean acidification in the world. This is already resulting in direct and obvious harm to coastal ecosystems and economies. This terrible truth also presents a tremendous opportunity. Marisla Foundation 3

4 Increasing threats from CO2 emissions to oceans and seaside communities demonstrate a fundamental connection between fossil fuel consumption and our ailing ocean. While the West Coast is forging ahead with efforts and opportunities to create a clean energy economy, the importance of reducing dependence on fossil fuels has taken on a new urgency in coastal states. There is a need to communicate the importance of ocean resources for healthy coastal communities and economies, and build support for the solutions and adaptation needed in the coming years. INSERT WHY RM is well-suited for this work. I can add some Cylvia specifics if you need. Commented [JM4]: I think this is needed. NARRATIVE ITEM 3: EXPECTED RESULTS. PLEASE BE SPECIFIC ABOUT THE MEASURES AND INDICATORS YOU WILL USE TO CHART PROGRESS. WHAT SPECIFIC EVIDENCE WILL BE COLLECTED TO KNOW YOUR WORK IS SUCCEEDING? Begin by explain how we will determine success for each of the above the objectives and what will take or indicators that will transpire that show we are on track. Wrap up this section with a paragraph explaining the anticipated impact major outcomes we can expect from this project Deliverables Through implementation of the strategies described above, the HOHE project intends to accomplish the following in 2013 and 2014: Build momentum behind Washington State s Blue Ribbon Panel findings and recommendations, and lend support to similar nascent efforts in California and Oregon. Develop story narratives that identify ocean acidification threats as immediate and relevant to local economies and people. Generate a more collaborative, unified approach and message on ocean acidification between clean energy and climate advocates and ocean conservation advocates. Support development of specific policy approaches to OA in Oregon and California. By delivering on the items noted above the HOHE project will produce the following outcomes. Outcomes: Expanded political/decision maker base of support to address ocean acidification. Increased public awareness of OA. How We Will Measure Effectiveness: Tracking development of specific OA-related policies in West Coast states.?? could we do some before and after awareness polling? Perhaps in a couple of key targeted audiences (lawmakers, clean energy advocates,??) Commented [JM5]: Can we? Marisla Foundation 4

5 QUALIFICATION OF KEY PERSONNEL Cylvia Hayes has 23 years of experience in clean energy and sustainable economic development. She is founder and CEO of 3EStrategies, a clean economy consulting firm. She is on the Board of Directors for the American Leadership Forum Oregon. Hayes is the First Lady of Oregon. Hayes is a talented public speaker and author of numerous clean economy reports, studies and articles. She is a regular contributor to Huffington Post and Grist. Hayes served as member and co-chair of the Oregon Renewable Energy Working Group which developed the state Renewable Energy Standard, Renewable Fuels Standard and other clean energy policies. Hayes has proven effectiveness in catalyzing important policy development, convening strategic and effective group processes and guiding concept into concrete action on large and complex issues. Examples of the effectiveness of this approach include: West Coast Clean Economy Alignment: Beginning in 2009, recognizing an opportunity to accelerate clean economy development through a multi-state regional approach on the West Coast, Hayes worked with West Coast leaders to reinvigorate the intra-governmental Pacific Coast Collaborative (PCC). Simultaneously, in a parallel effort, Hayes convened leading energy and climate NGOs in the West Coast region to develop a more unified set of clean economy policy strategies. For the first time, the NGOs were integrated into the PCC process. In March 2012, the Governors of California, Oregon and Washington and Premier of British Columbia issued a joint resolution in support of clean economy acceleration. Multi-State Ocean Acidification Approach Hayes has been instrumental raising awareness about the serious issue of ocean acidification. In November 2012 Hayes convened strategic policy advisors for the governors of Washington, Oregon and California to share each state s current approach to ocean acidification and explore the opportunities for a more robust regional approach. Since that meeting, as a result of continued shepherding the West Coast Governor s Alliance on Ocean Health has added acidification as a priority action area. This is early in the process but the stage is set for regional action on this issue. Oregon Ten Year Energy Plan Hayes advised the Oregon governor of the need for a comprehensive, practical plan to put Oregon on a path toward low carbon energy and transportation systems. Hayes then served as a volunteer policy advisor, convening and supporting dozens of staff and citizen advisors in the Marisla Foundation 5

6 development of that plan. Several important pieces of energy and climate legislation resulting from this plan are now moving through the legislative process. Marisla Foundation 6