Purpose This study aims to investigate the potential of the coffee drinking experience as an engagement tool for climate change. Review the current state of the coffee drinking experience, define it and examine links to climate change communication practices. The argument for the coffee drinking experience as a method for engaging the public on climate change is presented. Design/methodology The case study method was used to analyze a small number of existing research on the coffee drinking experience. This method is used to define the coffee drinking experience and identify examples in which it could be leveraged for engaging consumers in climate change. Findings The emotive and multi-sensory aspects of the coffee drinking experience, combined with the informal atmosphere of the coffee houses provide a non-threatening environment for discussing complex ideas. This study finds there is scope for further exploration and research on the coffee drinking experience as a tool for public engagement with climate change. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited in that it is only an initial exploratory study and has not reached the empirical stage yet. It is further limited to the analysis of secondary data. Originality Social science in general and experiential marketing specifically has yet to examine the ability of food or drinking experiences as an engagement tool for climate change.

This study examines tweets ( N = 1,103,119) sent by 638 US politicians regarding climate change ( N = 10,135). Using data reflecting the risks faced and opinions held by their constituents, the extent to which politicians lead—tweeting about climate change for those most at risk, called trusteeship—or follow—tweeting about climate change for those who are already concerned, called playing to the crowed—is examined. Results reveal that while Democrats generally tweet about climate change more often than Republicans, within each party, tweeting frequency is mostly explained by the level of concern in a politicians’ constituency. Objective risks faced by constituents play no role. Analysis of behavior across different office levels—federal, state, and local—also shows that while federal politicians are more partisan, state and local politicians play to the crowd to a greater degree. Analysis of the tweets shows the politicians’ unequal engagement leads to over-representations of some topics (e.g., “calls for action”) and under-representations of other topics (e.g., criticizing fossil fuels and deniers).

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This paper examines the feasibility of developing a new Master Volunteer training program to help communities adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Traditional models of volunteer training programs, such as the Cooperative Extension Master Volunteer peer-topeer learning model, are based in part on Diffusion Theory. The existing model of education could provide a useful base upon which to develop a volunteer training program about climate change but requires more depth. Data were collected using a mixed-method approach, consisting of focus groups and a survey among key stakeholders associated with the Cooperative Extension Service in the Northeastern United States. The results demonstrate the need for a climate change Extension volunteer training program, one that extends beyond the traditional deficit model of information sharing and is developed with a comprehensive theoretical approach to climate change education that focuses on collective action, as opposed to individual action. Based on emergent themes, this paper presents a theoretical framework for a new volunteer training program based on Social Practice, Sense of Community, and Self-efficacy theories. The proposed program could be successful, provided it encompasses a learning model that fosters social practices, feelings of a sense of community, and builds self-efficacy.

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