Climate Explorer: Malcolm Crocker

COIN Speaker Training

Tried my first talk on Climate Change - Does it Matter? to Henley U3A on 12th September. It went well and we are following up by forming Henley Climate Workshop to see if we can get more involved.

I wanted to improve my presentation so attended COIN speaker training on 26th September. It was a great day and brought together those of all ages who want to be able to present the facts more clearly. Chris Church illustrated his points with skill and humour and we had a enjoyable time discussing what techniques suited us best.

We were provided with a template talk and practised delivering our own versions of this to each other. We discussed the questions which would be asked, and what the answers could be. We received hand outs for "Dealing with Counter Arguments", "Emotional Climate Change", "Engaging your Audience", Speaking Skills", "Managing Discussion" and "Moving People" so we have lots to think about.

Some were very confident and others less so but we all learned that we had a lot to give!

Marchwood Ecohouse & U3A

My generation caused the problem so we had better be active in finding the solution.

A bit ambitious perhaps, but we have more time than others and often some capital resources. We have the motivation that our grandchildren will inherit a potential disaster.

The answers may be based on science and dependent on political will, but until the man in the street is sufficiently aware of the problem politicians dare not commit the necessary funding. They also do not know what works on the ground and what it will cost nationally.

This is why Betty and I are committed to being one of a number of ecohouses and writing up our experiences in diary form as we go along. Our mistakes may help others succeed. Our plans have only just been submitted but you can read some of the problems we have already tackled on http://U3AClimateStudy.pbwiki.com

This Wiki also gathers about 400 scientific reports on the various aspects of Climate Change to assist the public to study each aspect. Your comments would be appreciated and you are invited to take part in the gathering process.

Malcolm and Betty Crocker

Read malcolmcro's entire blog.