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Principle of energy: “When a symbol use works to deny change it will materially alter the potential of the universe (energy) in a way that results in a reduction in the capacity of the symbol user to mirror reality. When a symbol use works for the acceptance of change it will increase the capacity of the symbol user to mirror reality.”

Below are two charts summarising 

(1) my 2002 exploration of why our National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and our Kyoto (Climate Change Office) strategy conflict with each other.

(2) my proposal for reducing the conflict.

 I concluded that the essential issue both strategies share is our use of air. In particular the central knowledge we need to communicate to people is the thermal capacity of air. This is summed up in the statement (see central dark area of posters):

 Air is characterised by 
a large capacity to transfer thermal energy by convection 
and 
a relatively tiny capacity to transfer thermal energy by conduction.

In the first poster I explored how current symbol uses such as greenhouse images of the atmosphere deny air's capacity for change. The use of such symbols generate confusion central to both strategies. The Kyoto  strategy teaches that that the atmosphere works by suppressing thermal convection as does a greenhouse or blanket. This confuses best uses of air greenhouses and blankets in industrial and other human activities such as insulating dwellings, wearing appropriate clothing etc. At the same time NEECS uses the greenhouse symbol to show how humans can control thermal transfers in their daily activities. This works directly against comprehension at a primal level that adding thermal energy to the atmosphere increases thermal transfer (change of state rates).

In the second poster I suggest that the use of the Trace symbol as in Trace Gases removes this central source of conflict. In so doing supports the Principles of Energy and promotes awareness and acceptance of change. In particular the Trace model promotes learning activities exploring the nature of tiny proportions and large leverage i.e. works to provide the essentials required for understanding change in weather systems.

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