National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI) Impacts After 5 Years

Since 2009, the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation—better known as NNOCCI—has been a collaborative effort to raise the discourse around climate change and ocean acidification. Led by the New England Aquarium, this evolving partnership includes the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Frameworks Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, National Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry, NewKnowledge and Pensylvania State University and has been funded through the generous support of the National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Institute for Museum and Library Services.
The concerted effort of this project over the last 6 years has been to disseminate a mode of science communication that is backed by research. This Strategic Framing approach is helping to shift the conversation toward solutions that our communities can implement to reduce the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification.
From the report:
“The results of our evaluations so far show NNOCCI is having a positive impact. NNOCCI equips educators and scientists with four essential tools to bring their message to the public: knowledge about climate change science, effective communication techniques, a supportive community of NNOCCI members, and confidence to do this difficult work. NNOCCI members’ improved messaging contributes to better understanding of climate change among people they talk to. In turn, these people are more likely to take action to solve climate change. These exciting findings demonstrate the positive influence NNOCCI already has, with the possibility to bring the message of climate change solutions and hope to more people across the US.”
More Blog Posts
The Science of ExtremesThe Science of Extremes by Richelle Tanner, July 13 2021 Extreme is a word that can send a climate communicator directly into the swamp: the word extreme is inherently a bit alarming, and vague enough to warrant a multi-sentence qualification when you use it. Even scientists disagree on what this word means and in which context it is appropriate. [READ MORE]
We Need a Sea Change in How We Communicate about Ocean Change. Metaphors Can Help.We Need a Sea Change in How We Communicate about Ocean Change. Metaphors Can Help. October 28 2016 This is the fourth post in a series about framing ocean and climate change. We depend on our oceans and must protect them, yet they are often overlooked in public conversations about “climate change.” As a result, most people don’t understand how [READ MORE]
Rosemary Mosco: Climate IllustrationRosemary Mosco: Climate Illustration by Allison Arteaga, March 18 2019 A comic that circulated through social media this past month spread hope on climate change to thousands, and it was all inspired by the artist’s connections to the National Network for Ocean & Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI). “Climate Worries”, a cartoon by science [READ MORE]
IPCC Communications Tips for ScientistsIPCC Communications Tips for Scientists Allison Arteaga, February 07 2018 In late January, ahead of the anticipated release of a new IPCC report later this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a new handbook for their scientific authors on how to more effectively engage the public and communicate about climate change [READ MORE]
“Ask a Scientist”“Ask a Scientist” by Richelle Tanner, March 26 2020 We had a great turnout for our “Ask a Scientist” interactive break-out session at the latest NNOCCI Virtual Conference, but there were so many questions that we didn’t get to! For those of you who couldn’t join us, we’re also summarizing the conversations that participants had with our [READ MORE]