Abstract
Stories shape who we are. A good story can change the way we act. Those advocating for sustainability must practice good storytelling and avoid the trap of repeating sterile and emotionless data. A good story includes ‘narrative elements’: setting, characters, plot, and a moral. Listeners relate to the characters and in the case of a well-told story, can experience strong emotional responses. These responses aid in committing the story to memory and influencing future behaviors. Think of the striking vignettes presented by David Attenborough. Communicating environmental stories is especially challenging in rural America. The audience needs to feel a part of the in-group–it needs to relate to the protagonist. Stories of big initiatives in cities and expensive new technologies can have the opposite effect on rural communities. I worked with a clean energy non-profit in Buncombe County, NC to tell the stories of local businesses finding ways to conserve and produce their own energy. The protagonists are plain-clothed business owners and determined employees. No billionaires. No celebrities. Our efforts were not only to help environmentally-conscious businesses share their stories, but to catalyze Buncombe County’s ambitious goal of 100% renewable energy by 2042. In this session, we share some inspiring stories of energy efficiency in the mountains of Western North Carolina..
Presenters
Andrew PolichStudent, Masters of Science of Sustainability Studies, Lenoir-Rhyne University / Asheville Center for Graduate Studies, North Carolina, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Education, Assessment and Policy
KEYWORDS
Communication, Narrative, Energy-Efficiency, Built-Environment, North-Carolina, Buildings
