1. Global changes and environmental communication research
PTO & GTO workshop
Jari Lyytimäki (formerly: Välimäki)
Finnish environment institute (SYKE),
Research programme for environmental policy (PTO)

2. What is environmental communication research?
It’s about communication:
context oriented, local practices and interpretations
It’s about environment:
how do we make sense about environmental changes
It’s becoming more global:
global environmental changes
global environmental governance
new information and communications technology
globalisation of media ownership and practices
globalisation of cultural trends

3. Methods of communication
The diversity of communication – Development communication (1)
Target group
Methods of communication
General public
Radio (e.g. interviews)
Television (e.g. interviews)
Brochures / fact-sheets
Maps
Community briefings / workshops
Project website
CD-ROMs
Newspaper reporting
Videos
Films and movies
Drama and role-play
Communal meetings
School writing- and drawing contests
Embassy press contacts
Locally employed communication officers
Newsletter / magazine

4. Method of communication
The diversity of communication - Development communication (2)
Target group
Method of communication
Recipient country professionals
Meetings, seminars and conferences
Use of PowerPoint- lectures, project
summaries etc.
Active publications in country's press
Internal communication
Financier(s)
Analytical and concise reports
Regular meetings when required
Source: Majanen 2003

5. Topics of the research Rhetoric in environmental debates
Rhetoric in environmental texts
Relations between language and experiences of nature
Environmental advocacy and education campaigns
The media's role in environmental affairs
Media treatments of environmental issues
Public relations around environmental issues
Green marketing: the advertising of environmental products
Images of nature in popular culture
Constructions of environmental issues in popular culture
Science communication
Risk communication
Public participation in environmental decision making
Environmental mediation and conflict resolution
Source: Meisner 2004

6. Examples of research at PTO
Use of SD indicators (national & regional level)
Review of environmental communication research in Finland
Challenges of communication in lake water regulation
Communication within water resource management R&D projects
Development of a book on the state of the Finnish environment
Risk and environmental governance in a local setting. A case of contaminated land management
Negotiating risks of GMO birches: limitations and prospects for public participation
Co-operation with Central Finland Regional Environment Center (environmental education studies)

7. Key areas for future research
Overall development of the communication on environmental issues
Environmental issues within new medias
The effectiviness of environmental communication
Environmental communication and education
Non-factual, non-textual environmental communication
Communication processes
Summing up experiences from different case studies and approaches
Taking the target group into account
Use of the new ICT’s
Experiences are also gained within our everyday work!
Source: Lyytimäki & Palosaari 2004