One-Planet Talking blog

A little bit behind the curve here... I just wanted to note the fact that IECA founding member Max Boykoff (University of Colorado-Boulder) has published a new book on climate change communication.

It's not a big deal, but IECA now has a Twitter account @EnvComm. Members and non members are encouraged to follow us. We are in the process of integrating Twitter with the web site.

Among our many other resources, we have created a new list of related organizations. IECA hopes to network with the likes of ICA's new Environmental Communication Section, IAMCR's Environment, Science and Risk Communication working group, the Society for Environmental Journalists, and so forth.

If you haven't been here in a while,  you should notice a few changes. Content from the old ECN web site has been migrated to the IECA web site. Plus we have been adding new features, including listings of IECA member blogs, calls for papers, etc., environmental communication events, and jobs. All of this is being set up so that members will eventually be able to post their own listings of these kinds of info right on the web site.

As most of you know, the Environmental Communication Network (ECN) is becoming part of the IECA. One aspect of that move is that we will soon be establishing a mailing list to replace the ECN's LISTSERV. Current ECN LISTSERV members will be invited to join the new IECA list for free. That new list is going to be known as ECN2 and it's coming soon!

For the past few days I have been moving the IECA web site to a new content management system and implementing a new design. And here it is! Let me know what you think with a vote in the poll at the bottom of the left sidebar. If you really want to tell me more, then please send me an email. Please bear in mind that the new web site is very much a work in progress. I am slowly moving the content from the Environmental Communication Network over here. I am also slowly adding new content and new features to the site.

There is a lot more to come, so check back often. And if you haven't yet joined us, please do.

Syracuse, July 29, 2011

Dear ECN Members,

Change is coming and it's going to be great.

As many of you know, over the past couple of years a dedicated group of colleagues from within the Environmental Communication Network (ECN) have worked to create the new International Environmental Communication Association (IECA). A big thank you to everyone who lent a hand to make IECA happen!

The ECN was a core partner in that process, along with Environmental Communication: A Journal of Nature and Culture, and the Conference on Communication and Environment.

Today IECA Chair Steve Depoe announced that Dr. Mark Meisner has been named as the new Executive Director of the Association. Dr. Meisner is the founder and Director of the Environmental Communication Network which will soon be integrated into the IECA. “I am excited to add Mark to our team. His vision, leadership, energy, and connections will help us bring the new association forward in the crucial months ahead,” said Depoe.

The bylaws have been drafted, opened for member and public comment, and amended as needed. As of July 15, 2011, the by-laws have been approved by the IECA Board of Directors. In late July, IECA founding members are going to receive a message asking them to vote for final ratification of the by-laws. We will report the results of that ratification vote after iit is completed. The amended bylaws are available on the “about us” section of the website.

At the first meeting of the IECA Board of Directors at the COCE conference in El Paso, the Board selected its initial slate of officers:

Chair Steve Depoe (U.S.)

Vice-Chair Lee Ahern (U.S.)

Secretary Anders Hansen (U.K.)

Treasurer Barb Willard (U.S.)

In addition, the following committee chairs were identified:

Nominations/Elections: Lee Ahern (as Vice-Chair)

Research/Publication: Libby Lester (Australia)

Membership/Outreach: Soenke Lorenzen (Netherlands), Julie Doyle (U.K.)