“Moms take pride in their problem-solving skills. They’re often prepared for crises large and small. But preventing the worst effects of climate change, which could materialize in a few short decades, is a problem many moms know will affect their children yet they frequently feel powerless to stop.
That’s where Science Moms hopes to make a difference. The nonpartisan group, led by six climate scientists who are also mothers volunteering their time, positions itself as a trusted source of easily digestible and accurate scientific information related to climate change. In addition to its website and social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, Science Moms plans to reach an audience of concerned moms through national television advertising that features their personal stories.
Dr. Emily Fischer, a Science Moms co-founder and atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University, narrates a 90-second spot called ‘For Our Daughters.’ A montage of her two daughters enjoying the outdoors as they camp, ski, and ride bikes is contrasted with images of natural disasters like extreme wildfires and floods, types of events that have been linked to climate change.
‘From the second you have a child, you want to do everything you can to protect them,’ she says in the ad. ‘I think our action on climate change is no different — it’s just an extension of being a mom.’
In an interview with Mashable, Dr. Fischer recalled the threat of the Cameron Peak fire in Colorado last August, which her family had to flee while on a hiking trip. By October, the blaze had become the largest in the state’s history. Though they were ultimately safe, wildfire smoke in their neighborhood lingered in the air for months. Her daughters kept asking: ‘Can we go outside today?’
Though Dr. Fischer studies climate change, wildfires, and the effects of wildfire smoke, she struggled to balance her children’s safety and their emotional well-being.
‘That is exhausting,’ she says, ‘and that is what climate change will be for moms: It will be exhausting.’
The Science Moms’ website invites users to send a template letter to their elected official, which poses the question: ‘Mothers everywhere want to know: what is your plan to address climate change and ensure a safe and stable future for our children?'”
View the whole story here: https://mashable.com/article/science-moms-climate-change/