Marcus Brown
Mark Albonizio
Christine Schwendeman
COM418



Week 5 Project Progress Report


Using Griffin’s “systematic thinking” approach, we intend to communicate several pieces of evidence that point out the benefits of biodiesel to petro-diesel. First, we will establish the baseline: statistical percentages regarding the amount of air-pollution exuded from engines burning bio vs petro diesel. We may begin with an anecdote, like Griffin suggests. For example, we might say that Dr. Dan runs his car on 100% B100 biodiesel and is contributing to preserving our oil reserves. Every gallon of biodiesel that he burns saves .05% of fossil fuel consumption (huge estimate – will supply actual numbers in newsletter). But statistics of fossil fuel consumption tell a different story. Then we would give the context by including national data on the yearly fossil fuel consumption rates.

We could also make dynamic comparisons of the economic, environmental, and usage benefits of bio vs petro diesel. We could show how much air pollution is caused by running an engine for 1 hour compared to running a biodiesel engine for the same length of time.

Finally, we will use causal caution and not over or underestimate our target audiences feelings on environmental issues. We will not claim that petro-diesel exhaust causes cancer because, although it may be a contributing factor, we can’t find statistics that claim much more than association.

Marcus Brown
Mark Albonizio
Christine Schwendeman
COM418



Week 4 Project Progress Report


After inventorying our resources in terms of staff, materials, and funds, we have found that we’re in pretty good shape. We’re planning to hand out pamphlets to roughly 95 owner/operator truck drivers during one of their weekly 5am morning meetings. The costs should be relatively small since we are designing and copying the pamphlets ourselves. We will be handing out brief surveys on their attitudes and knowledge of biodiesel prior to the pamphlets. We will then go over what is in the pamphlets and take any questions or comments from our audience. After, we will have them fill out another survey asking similar questions regarding their attitude and knowledge. In an effort to get as many surveys filled out as possible, we are planning to hold a “raffle” after the data is collected for a Starbuck’s gift certificate (no more than $20.00). The major constraints that we will face are time and participation. Since we know that these meetings are mandatory for the owner/operators, turnout should be high.
In terms of our communication strategies, we are planning several things. First, we will be creating pamphlets or brochures about biodiesel. We have also talked about seeing if we could get someone that already uses biodiesel to attend the meeting and have a “demonstration” of sorts to show the drivers that there are not any horrible side effects in engine performance. The last thing that we plan to create (and include in our brochures) is an informational website. Any questions or concerns that they have about biodiesel will be addressed on the website, in addition to instructions for contacting their local congressmen if they so desire.

Marcus Brown
Mark Albonizio
Christine Schwendeman
COM418

Week 3 Project Progress Report


Our communications objectives in terms of the Hungerford & Volk model are to create a sense of responsibility in our target audience (Seattle local truck drivers). We are planning to point out the inevitable extinction of our fossil fuels in the not-too-distant future. Several articles in our newsletters will deal with the limited amount of fossil fuels (like petroleum) left and what we can do to not be so reliant on them.
We plan to empower them by pointing out that biodiesel is a RENEWABLE domestic resource and they can make a difference by using it. Every unit of fossil fuel it takes to make biodiesel results in 3.2 units of energy gain. Since petro diesel has a negative energy balance of .88, every gallon of biodiesel used has the potential to extend our petroleum reserves by FOUR gallons!! We will also make them aware of the overall health benefits of burning biodiesel as opposed to petro. (For example, the US Dept of Agriculture & the US Dept of Energy sponsored a biodiesel lifecycle study in 1998. It concluded that biodiesel reduces net CO2 emissions by 78% compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel’s closed carbon cycle. The CO2 released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants -which are later processed into fuel.)
Later we will also educate drivers about fleets such as St. Louis Metro busses and Oklahoma trolleys that are currently utilizing biodiesel with good results to dispel any reservations about biodiesel being an unproven technology.
Our newsletters will also include ways to contact their local congressmen so that they can encourage them to pass biodiesel legislation.

Marcus Brown
Christine Schwendeman

COM418 –Communication & the Environment

CLASS PROJECT IDEA


The project that we are considering is a content analysis study on the impact of communication (via newsletters & pamphlets) on environmentally friendly Biodiesel to both fleet and owner/operator based transportation companies. Our potential audience will include, but not be limited to, large fleet companies like Metro and smaller independent trucking companies along the Seattle waterfront.
We will need to know how each of these companies acquire and purchase fuel and what influences that decision. Is the environment a consideration when purchasing diesel, or is it strictly monetary?
If information is presented that highlights the benefits of cleaner diesel alternatives, will it change their purchasing habits?
Some of the appeals of Biodiesel that fuel purchasers might not be aware of are environmental tax credits, domestic production meaning that fuel prices do not fluctuate as much, and the compatibility of Biodiesel with existing engine technology. The compatibility of Biodiesel with current diesel engine systems is one of its biggest advantages over other alternative fuels. Most diesel engines can run on Biodiesel with little or no modification or be switched back to petroleum diesel if the supply of Biodiesel is interrupted. It will be interesting to see if fuel purchasers are aware of these benefits and how it affects their purchasing decisions.

Watch for our communications project on exposing independent drivers to the benefits of Biodiesel.