The Art of Risk Communication: Overcoming the Public Fear Surrounding Controversial Projects  

Technical writers and editors in the environmental field can make additional contributions to the document production process by becoming familiar with risk communication principles. These principles can help us communicate more effectively with the public about controversial environmental projects, which are ever increasing. Considering the public's power to delay such projects, our ability to diminish public opposition through good risk communication skills is invaluable.

Barr, Christine R. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Risk Communication>Environmental>Writing

Ecological Literacy and Advocacy through Technical Communication: From Industrial Communication to Community Activism  

What happens when a technical communicator becomes a volunteer advocate for environmental protection? Professional skills like quickly learning new technical subjects, audience analysis, and recasting technical information for popular consumption are readily transferred to this arena. Team-building skills used both in STC and in industry are important to successful advocacy. New skills are called for in areas like public relations and fund raising. Long-range planning for environmental protection requires the participation of an informed and active citizenry. Technical communicators can be a critical link in that process.

Brock, Cynthia J. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Writing>Environmental>Community

Geography of the Blogosphere: Representing the Culture, Ecology and Community of Weblogs

Maps of any aspect of the Internet call for different approaches than traditional cartography for two reasons. First, any attempt to map the Internet using the Internet as a medium changes the thing it sets out to represent. Second, Internet maps are more than pictures of static—or at least relatively slow moving—features but are representations of ever changing systems of relationships. The blogosphere is an example of explosive growth in the number and complexity of interrelationship and community made possible by the Internet.

Packwood, Nicholas. Into the Blogosphere (2004). Articles>Writing>Environmental>Blogging

What to Expect When Developing an EIS Content Plan  

As federal priorities change, federal agencies perform more or different activities or subcontract activities to the private sector. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that these agencies analyze the impact of proposed activities on the environment and disclose this analysis in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS discloses to the public and to decisionmakers the environmental gains and loses from the proposed activity. Because the analysis is comprehensive and disclosure requirements are specifically prescribed by NEPA, technical experts from multiple disciplines write the EIS. To assist these specialty authors in producing an effective and successful EIS, an EIS content plan is mandatory.

Daus-Weber, Theresa. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Writing>Environmental>Technical Writing