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When I left the two day dedication to USF’s new School for Global Sustainability, my first thought was how lucky we are to have this program in our region.

Creative Loafing bloggers gave a thorough intro and comprehensive overview of the speakers and panel discussions.

Glaciologist Lonnie Thompson PhD, one of the keynotes, was interviewed by Mitch Perry who did an excellent job of covering Thompson’s main points. Dr. Thompson summarized his talk, saying that society has three options: 1. prevention; 2. adaptation; or 3. suffering. He and most of the other scientists claim to be good at what they do – science. What they don’t know how to do is to communicate what they know. Dr Mark Stewart of USF’s Geology Department said, “Scientists need help. Help us communicate.”

Language is not only important. It can work for ya’ or against ya’. That’s why, conservatives and Republicans, including Newt Gingrich and George Bush, have turned to Frank Luntz to host focus groups and come up with killer language to use against the Democrats. Well, Frank Luntz has now converted to green by "coaching Republicans on how to win the environmental messaging war." Whether you’re running for office or not, be sure to check out his report on the Language of Clean Energy Economy. The better we can deliver messages about green and sustainability, the better for everyone.

That brings me to my second thought after the USF School of Global Sustainability dedication. Fox News is irresponsible.

Fox newscasters joked about the recent extreme weather in Atlanta and DC. Aren’t they aware that the weather is part of the larger patterns of climate change? Are they strategically choosing to try to win the next election, at the risk of their own grandchildren, who will have to deal with Thompson’s three options - just to paint Obama in a bad light?

Most of the Fox commentators are critical of Obama, Democrats and Al Gore. What about Economics 101? The riskier Plan A; make a stronger Plan B. Laughing about climate change isn’t a strategic action plan. The odds are not good, if you are a gambler and the risk too serious.

Secondly, these are the same people talking about businesses hurting. It would make sense to educate their listeners about this multi-trillion dollar economy. All the news media need to join those scientists in getting the word out.

There’s also the criticism that professors are liberals, who just want to support Obama’s agenda and are therefore lying about climate change. Not every college and university is overrun with liberals. Not every dean of the business schools is a Democrat. Conservatives and Republicans both are looking at green as a business opportunity. An example is St. Pete’s former mayor, Rick Baker, who is a conservative Republican.

The City of St. Petersburg knows what works, even without Luntz, and is successfully addressing green jobs and green industry, as well as major weatherization grants. (Email Ed DeSeve at edeserve@omb.eop.gov to support the Tampa Bay Energy Efficiency & Conservation Coalition. It’s a Block Grant with 20 partners, including the larger governments in Pinellas, Manatee and Hillsborough Counties, universities, weatherization agencies, and job training organizations.)

Luntz may have to work overtime to frame upcoming Republican campaigns to include his new conversion to a green.

Dr Thompson made it simple: Ice is the best indicator of change. Ice just melts. No politics. No opinions. It just melts.