Climate Change Communicator of the Year 2011

George Mason University / Center for Climate Change Communication

The Center for Climate Change Communication (4C) at George Mason University believes that excellence deserves acknowledgment. Since 2009, each year 4C conducts an open nomination and democratic voting process to select one person, and one organization, as Climate Change Communicators of the Year. Eight extraordinary individuals and six extraordinary organizations were nominated this year. After a six-week voting process, with thousands of votes cast, Naomi Oreskes and the Alliance for Climate Education emerged as this year’s winners.

In just two years of existence, ACE has risen quickly to become the nation’s leading climate organization focused on high schoolers.  They have managed to take a complex subject and make it compelling to hard-to-reach teens, presenting to over 640,000+ high school students nationwide in less than 2 years. Their unique multimedia, animated presentation, delivered by dynamic, young, performance arts-trained presenters has proven to be able to reach students in a way that sticks.  A recent study in the Chicago Public Schools showed that ACE contributed to a 58% improvement in climate science understanding amongst students.  

2011 Breathe California Clean Air Award for Public Awareness / Education

Sponsored by Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Intermune, Kaiser Permanente

The 21st annual Clean Air Awards focused on positive initiatives that are being taken to reduce global warming and air pollution. California is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution and warmer temperatures. Increased temperatures caused by global warming will exacerbate air pollution, increasing the rates of asthma, respiratory and other lung related ailments. Important work is being done to combat climate change and reduce air pollution in the business, governmental, educational and non-profit sectors. The 2011 awards recognized those who are leading the way on these efforts.