If you've been keeping up with Fresh Energy's Transportations Connections Department, you've probably heard about its push for a state Complete Streets policy. The measure aims to make streets safer and more accessible through various planning measures. This includes sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and shoulders. But as far as understanding how exactly these road changes would equal improved safety and a cleaner environment, it's a little bit difficult to get from point A to point B--no transportation pun intended. I didn't have a clear understanding of it, myself, until I actually saw it last week.
If you spent any time in the Twin Cities during the snow storm last week, you may have happened upon Fresh Energy's logo... more than 1,000 times. Minneapolis business Element Six Media has developed an innovative way for businesses to promote their brands through seasonal snow storms: the company physically stamps the snow with a company's logo. Check out the pictures.
Between UN climate discussions in Copenhagen and a climate bill in the U.S. Senate, one can't avoid the buzz about cap and trade. It's easy to get lost in the news. Luckily, Minnesota Public Radio last aired a highly educational series about cap and trade and how it affects Minnesotans last week. Check out the four-part series, called Cap and Tradeoffs.
Families aired December 7, 2009 Stephanie Hemphill opens the series with Cap and Trade 101. She discusses how the revenue may be dispersed and how much the system may cost families. Fresh Energy Science Policy Director J. Drake Hamilton provided information to Hemphill, who quoted her in the piece.
Transportation aired December 8, 2009 Dan Olson reports on how the transportation sector could help the nation reduce its pollution 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. He interviews a former Minnesotan, now living in Denmark, about the American mindset about cars and driving.
Agriculture aired December 9, 2009 Mark Steil discusses carbon sequestration and how it may affect farmers in Minnesota. He also evaluates corn-based ethanol and methane.
Big Emitters aired December 10, 2009 Stephanie Hemphill closes the series with a story about some of the state's largest polluters and how they would adjust to a cap and trade system. She also highlights 3M's ambitious energy reduction goals. The company has cut its pollution in half in five years.
Representatives and partners of ElectriCharge Mobility visited Fresh Energy yesterday to talk about some exciting developments in the field of electric vehicle transportation. Partner Paul Axt said people often view the development of the industry as a chicken-and-egg problem between the vehicles and their charging stations. What must come first to grow the other? ElectriCharge Mobility and charging-station developer Coulomb Technologies believe we first need to show people charging stations are widespread and accessible, in order for people to purchase electric vehicles.
Posted by: Elena Velkov in messaging, media on
Aug 24, 2009
Messaging has always been at the core of the Media Center's work. There is almost nothing more important than learning how to make our information resonate to a large, diverse audience. That's why the Media Center traveled to focus groups around the region in the last year, in order to revamp its research. The strongest message that came out of the focus groups was the idea of transition and moving forward. People responded very favorably to the idea of moving into a modern energy system. However, I recently learned about another effective message that we didn't test.
Posted by: Elena Velkov in media on
Aug 14, 2009
The Media Center is searching for a fourth member to add to its team. The Internet Media Specialist will help develop a web-based news site in addition to working with journalists, expanding social media techniques, and consulting on strategic messaging. View the full job posting here.
As the federal debate about cap and trade heats up and people start engaging in discussions about it, it's important to remember something: nobody knows what it is.
On Monday, the Los Angeles Times published,"Buzzwords: Rephrasing Obama's lexicon." It highlights messaging on energy issues, based on focus group research. The article says that a poll by the Mellman Group found that 42 percent of participants responded very favorably to "clean energy jobs." This matches the findings of the Media Center's recent focus group research.
Next week, 10,000 youths nationwide will convene in Washington, D.C., for Power Shift '09. They will spend the weekend at workshops on climate issues, and then they will attend a Lobby Day. The group will have the chance to speak directly with decision makers and express its demands for a clean energy economy. The youths will ask for strict, governmental carbon reductions that are at the scale of the problem; increased renewable energy to keep the air clean; green jobs for their future; and U.S. leadership in these tasks.
Travelling through Southeast Asia for the last three weeks, I found myself at the home of extended family in the beautiful land of Singapore. Most immediately striking was its cleanliness (not a piece of garbage anywhere), closely followed by its beautifully manicured greenery and tropical flowers. However, after moving beyond its physical beauty, I was quickly struck by its incredible transportation and urban planning.
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