Green Message at Risk of Getting Lost in Political Cacophony

As of late, I have succumbed to the Sarah Palin effect. Headlines with her name exert a magnetic pull on my vulnerable mind. I can't get enough of the gossip, and the funny videos, and the fake pictures. I have even started a Fake Sarah Palin blog. My main activity as a green blogger is beginning to suffer. Last week, I only wrote three articles in La Marguerite blog, a record low. And I abstained from contributing to other green blogs. Let's face it, my head is with Sarah Palin, not climate change.

Out of curiosity, I did a BlogPulse Trend Search, for "Sarah Palin," "green," and "climate change." BlogPulse is a great tool to plot "buzz" about specific search terms in the blogosphere.

I also took a look at blogging activity on a typical day -- % all blog posts:

Barack Obama 1.232

green 1.195

Sarah Palin 1.096

John McCain .627

environment .437

global warming .120

Joe Biden .010

climate change .007

Todd Palin .004

The results show "environment," "climate change," and "global warming" to be no match for "Sarah Palin," or any other presidential election candidate, with the exception of Joe Biden. Even "green," one of the most widely used keywords in environmental conversations, has trouble keeping up with the buzz around "Sarah Palin."

What does this mean? More than ever, those of us who care about the environment, need to shout even louder, and more often, about such critical issues as biodiversity, and climate change, and energy conservation and efficiency. And we need to work harder at engaging our audiences.

Read more analysis from HuffPost bloggers on Sarah Palin

Comments

[nadinesellers]

Perhaps as a token to my stubborn heritage, i have consistently refused to open the gate beyond the multitudinous comments and articles on Sarah Palin. Oh yes! i have been intrigued by the opening statements brandished as news.

But i fear the adrenaline rush which would overcome what's left of my political sanity. I would rush and rant, choke and spit in a manner only fit for a bar-room news addict. Therefore, forgive me for abstaining from the most interesting environmental discourse that ambitious governing mother is sure to fire up.

Of course, i am glad to see the greens on full alert about the unconscionable stance on hunting and drilling, on wilderness mismanagement and bully positioning. I stand duly motivated and trying to pierce the fog of ignorance in the ill informed bed of business as usual.

[meryn]

While what you say is true, I think the craze around Palin could also be seen as an opportunity.

Palin's stance on environmental issues can be used as a door to discuss these issues as well as the underlying values (or possibly personal or political interests) which give rise to her stance on these issues. Her uncommon opinion on the cause of global warming is especially interesting, I think. You can discuss Palin and all these things at the same time. This could help educate people on the environment who start out only wanting to learn more about Palin.

For example, I recently saw a video on Palin supporting the hunt on wolves from planes. I wouldn't even have known about this thing occurring if it was not for Palin. Same is true for ANWR drilling. It gives opportunity to talk about our values and priorities, with everybody interested.

[RussellfromPortland]

Everything will take a back seat until the Wall Street bailout settles down. The Palin issue is we really do not know her yet. Her image is still being developed by Hollywood Handlers. Chelsea Clinton has done more interviews than Sarah and she is not running for office. Tina Fey can join the campaign trail and generate such buzz too. It's not that hard when the issues are not being discussed.

My concern is that after these bailouts is there any money left to develop clean tech energy?

[MCMilker]

Great question Marguerite!

The initial buzz around Palin has started to wear off, but her name still evokes dramatic and emotional responses from most everyone I know.

One way or another.

However, the conversation around her is turning more and more toward her environmental polices which are, to say the least, somewhat um interesting. There's something for most everyone even mildly interested in saving our planet to dislike - Polar Bears, drilling, global warming.

The worrisome thing is that voters more and more this year seem to picking their issue ..and mostly those issues seem to revolve around cultural rather than economic, environmental or even military issues.

Once the buzz dies down perhaps green issues can take a more important role (That is if we ever actually get around to discussing issues in this race).