Our planet's climate is changing (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2010), and current scientific evidence proves that global climate change is induced by humans (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007). Many scientists agree that climate change is one of the greatest threats faced by our planet. The climate change literature demonstrates that fear appeals can be used to encourage behavioral changes that will mitigate climate change (Nisbet, 2009; Patchen, 2006; Pike, Doppelt, & Herr, 2010). This article proposes Protection Motivation Theory (PMT; Rogers, 1983) as a suitable model to guide communication campaigns in the area of climate change. It also analyzes the extent to which a series of communication campaigns that are designed to persuade individuals to adopt behaviors that prevent climate change conform to PMT. Recommendations to improve the campaigns are presented.

Water scarcity, changing climate patterns and polluted water bodies have caused the current global water crisis that is threatening many nations around the world. Despite this significant threat, few academic literature references can be found on promoting changes that focus on saving and protecting our planet's water. In this research, the Protection Motivation Theory [(PMT) Rogers J Psychol 91: 93-114, 1975; 1983)] is proposed as an effective model for guiding communication campaigns that support water resource management. PMT is a widely used 'fear appeal' model that can persuade audiences to change their behaviors or invoke actions to avoid a negative threat or event. Twenty marketing campaigns focusing on implementing behavior and activities to better manage our water resources were analyzed for their adherence to the PMT. The analysis showed that although a majority of the marketing communications on water resources successfully conformed to PMT, some marketing communications failed to include pertinent PMT factors. Implications on developing marketing communications related to reducing water resources are discussed.

Students’ bullying and harassment have been shown to be a problem and more schools around the world are starting to address them. Although much of the attention and research has focused on middle-school students, addressing bullying and harassment in universities is important and makes the object of the present research. We provide an overview of how student versus student bullying and harassment are reported, monitored, and dealt with at Canadian educational institutions. Specifically, we identify schools where there is information and policies regarding students’ persecution; we describe how colleges help and what advice they offer; we discuss frameworks used to tackle it; as well, we present other initiatives aiming to prevent it. We also attempt to evaluate measures by linking them with incidence figures. This review may guide future initiatives to tackle intimidation with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of university environment.

Laptop use in class is a characteristic of universities that is changing rapidly. Although much of the attention and research regarding this issue has focused on the debate of whether to impose mandatory laptop programs, the reality of wireless campuses allows students to use their laptops in class for class related and non-class related activities. Therefore, a new debate has arisen concerning whether students should be allowed to use their laptops in class at all. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of Canadian universities in terms of their conditions, requirements, and policies regarding laptop use in class.

We examined the role of prejudice-reduction theories in anti-racism initiatives, by identifying, gathering, and analyzing anti-racism campaigns from a variety of English-language websites. Our review revealed many anti-racism initiatives running in the United Kingdom and a smaller number of initiatives running in Canada, the United States, Australia, and other countries. We provide a description of the key themes and messages being used in anti-racism initiatives, including a variety of components such as TV and radio public service announcements, print materials, social events, competitions, awards, and help-services. We also discuss how the components of the initiatives correspond with Duckitt's (2001) multi-level framework for prejudice reduction, operating on four causal levels: (1) perceptual-cognitive, (2) individual, (3) interpersonal, and (4) societal-intergroup. Recommendations for enhancing future anti-racism initiatives are provided.