Scientists argue that media coverage of climate change research fails to motivate individuals to take action

The planet is experiencing a warming trend due to human activities, and the consequences will be devastating for all living beings, including humans. This information is readily available in the media, but how do scientific journals and the media present climate change research? Is the scientific focus accurately represented in what is reported?

A recent study published in Global Environmental Change examined these questions. Researchers from the University of Lausanne analyzed approximately 50,000 scientific publications on climate change in 2020 to determine which research received media attention and how it was presented.

The analysis revealed that the media’s coverage of climate change research predominantly focused on the natural sciences. The selected research primarily emphasized large-scale future climate projections and a limited range of threats such as polar bears, drought, and melting glaciers. This narrow narrative fails to activate psychological mechanisms that could encourage pro-environmental behaviors in readers.

On the contrary, the media’s selective presentation of climate change research may lead to denial and avoidance behaviors.

Highlighting the Solutions along with the Problem

The study underscores the importance of presenting solutions alongside the problem to effectively engage the public in climate protection action. Fabrizio Butera, a professor at the University of Lausanne Institute of Psychology and co-author of the study, explains that individuals who do not feel directly affected by these issues are inclined to treat the information superficially. Only a deep, attentive consideration of the information can prompt transformative action and commitment.

Marie-Elodie Perga, a professor at the University of Lausanne Institute of Land Surface Dynamics and co-author of the paper, remarks that the current approach may not be achieving the desired societal impact. While large-scale threats can evoke fear, research on human behavior indicates that fear alone is insufficient to drive behavioral change. The presented problem must be accompanied by solutions. If climate change articles remain purely descriptive and focus on selectively chosen elements, the public will likely ignore the issue, seek less anxiety-inducing information, and surround themselves with networks that provide a more comforting perspective.

Improving Research Communication

To effectively communicate climate change issues and inspire action, a transversal and solution-oriented approach is necessary. Marie-Elodie Perga suggests that research institutions, publishers, and the media need to change their communication strategies. Currently, renowned scientific publications often prioritize studies that project the impacts of climate change by the end of the century, leading journalists to extensively cover these publications.

Marie-Elodie Perga highlights the example of a group of French journalists who have drafted a charter advocating for better media coverage of climate change and calling for more cross-disciplinarity. She emphasizes the need to bring solutions to light beyond local initiatives, as isolated individual actions have limited impact compared to collective efforts.

 

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Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.