Do The Right Thing

Doing the right thing can be so hard, especially when the wrong thing looks so easy. What it all comes down to this: Doing the right thing can ultimately save you from having to deal with bad press, upset clients and stress you could have avoided if you did the right thing in the first place.
In Chapter 1, Hoggan describes his three "Golden Rules" for approaching public relations. 1. Do the right thing, be accountable for your actions, and confront issues head on. For example, when Toyota was having car issues they laid the pronblems out so consumers can see. After showing their problems Toyota showed what they have been doing to improve, and in no time it was as it people forgot the initial problems all together. 2. Be seen to be doing the right thing make sure your audience and the media is aware that you are doing the right thing. Toyota had several commercials explaining how important their costomers are and how their number 1 prority was making safer cars for their drivers. 3. Don't get #1 and #2 mixed up. Make sure you are doing the right thing first before you deal with the PR side of things; do steps 1 and 2 in order.
When you do the right thing, you take responsibility for your actions. Speak the truth because even though the truth can sometimes be upsetting, your publics will appreciate your honesty. Hoggan also says to be seen doing the right thing. It's important that various publics see you doing the right thing so they know that you're the person they can trust. Be careful not to sound as if you are bragging because people do not like that. Lastly do not get #1 and #2 mixed up. As important as it is to be seen doing the right thing, it is that much more important to do the right thing. However, you must still make sure people see you doing the right thing.

-Shari Baron

"The Climate Change"

The climate change is threatening our planet. Many climatic events affecting the Earth, such as the "greenhouse effect," the increase in climate forcing and global warming, are looming over the future of life, as we know it.

Earth gets its energy from the sun. The sun then gives off energy back toward space. However, because greenhouse gases such as water vapor, CO₂ and methane are being trapped in the atmosphere creating a thick layer that is trapping heat on Earth, temperatures on the water and land surfaces are rising. This occurs naturally over time; however, various human activities such as the burning of coal, oil and natural gases are speeding up the process. The "greenhouse effect" is one of the direct causes of global warming.

Climate forcing, or "radiative" forcing, is the measurement of how the increase and decrease of greenhouse gases affect the climate. An increase of these gases results in warming, whereas a decrease of these gases creates a cooling effect. The increase in radiative heating was recorded at a threatening 26 percent from 1990 to 2008, showing clear evidence of the human contribution to global warming. (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/)

Global temperatures are steadily rising; as a result, we are experiencing excessive heat waves, droughts, melting iceburgs and heavy rain.

The Earth is covered mainly by water. As the Earth surface is warming, so is the water. Records show that the past three years have brought about the highest sea surface temperature in recorded history. The warming of the sea influences the water levels. In recent years, sea levels have increased an inch per decade, which in return is decreasing land space. Another thing affecting land mass is the melting of the Arctic sea ice. A part of the Arctic Ocean stays frozen year-round; however, in 2007, the amount of ice recorded was the lowest in recorded history, and it has continued to decrease over the years.

Global warming is real, it is here, and it is not a myth. If we do not take better care of our planet, who knows what life as we know it will evolve into…        

All pictures and information in this blog post was found on the website: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ check it out!