Did you know that the UN and Harvard Public Health School have guidelines and tips on communicating about climate change? How we convey information about this critical issue can determine whether we inspire action, influence policies, or simply maintain awareness without active engagement in finding solutions.
At the same time, several challenges exist in communicating about climate change. These lessen the impact of messaging and can be detrimental to the overarching goal of protecting our planet for future generations.
We’ve outlined the main ones below.
The Disconnection Between the Issue and Its Impact
One of the biggest hurdles in communicating climate change is the disconnect between the abstract nature of the issue and its real-world impacts. Part of this disconnect stems from how climate change is often portrayed in the media. Images of melting glaciers, stranded polar bears, and extreme weather events can evoke a sense of concern. Still, they also contribute to the perception of climate change as a distant problem affecting remote regions of the world. While these visuals are powerful tools for raising awareness, they can inadvertently reinforce the idea that climate change does not directly impact everyday life.
Translating Science into English
The language scientists and advocates use to discuss the climate crisis can confuse people. The topic is complex, and going into the details involves a lot of jargon. Even just deciding what to call the problem is tricky. Terms like “climate change” and “global warming” have existed for ages, but they don’t always grab people’s attention. There is nothing inherently good or bad about “change” or “warming.” But hearing the same terms over and over can make us tune out. Meet people where they are – and avoid technical jargon.
Navigating Politics
The political side of climate change is quite a mess. It’s become so polarized that discussions are more about scoring political points than understanding the science. Seeing scientific evidence getting dismissed or twisted just for political gain is disheartening. This divide is more than just eroding trust in experts; it’s also making it challenging to sift through the noise and find the truth.
The Downside of Doom and Gloom
A few years ago, I read an article on CBC that said climate change was the “largest science communication failure in history.” The article quoted Norwegian psychologist Per Espen Stoknes, who suggested mainstream conventional climate communication conflicts with our brains’ psychology. He stated that the only way to convince people to act is to forgo much of the doom and gloom and paint a more positive picture of a green future.
In discussions about climate change, there’s often a sense of fear, despair, and disillusionment. But dwelling on hopelessness has never spurred anyone into action. It’s not enough to scare people or highlight the threat to prompt action against risks like climate change. You must also emphasize how their actions can make a difference in reducing that risk.
Our different experiences, mental and cultural models, and underlying values and world views shape climate change communication. Whether we’re activists, scientists, or everyday folks, discussing climate change shapes how others perceive the problem and potential solutions.
In my next blog, I’ll be discussing lessons learned about communicating climate change. So make sure to come back here next week for part 2.