scholarly journals More Inclusive, More Practical: Climate Change Communication Research to Serve the Future

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Eise ◽  
Natalie Lambert ◽  
Tiwaladeoluwa Adekunle ◽  
Laura Eise
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Global Food Security ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Current Climate

Climate change impacts are being felt around the world, threatening human well-being and global food security. Social scientists in communication and other fields, in tandem with physical scientists, are critical for implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies effectively and equitably. In the face of rapidly evolving circumstances, it is time to take stock of our current climate change communication research and look toward where we need to go. Based on our systematic review of mid- to current climate change research trends in communication as well as climate change response recommendations by the American Meteorological Society, we suggest future directions for research. We urgently recommend communication research that (1) addresses immediate mitigation and adaptation concerns in local communities and (2) is more geographically diverse, particularly focusing on the African continent, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and certain parts of Asia.

Climate Change Communication in Japan

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Midori Aoyagi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Early Arrival ◽  
International Events

Climate change communication in Japan is characterized by governmental campaigns for carbon dioxide emission reduction and mass media coverage of international events on climate change issues. A series of governmental campaigns included “Cool Biz,” “Warm Biz,” and “Team Minus 6%” for the Kyoto protocol; “Challenge 25” for the Hatoyama initiative; “Fun to Share” and “Cool Choice” for the new mid-term Greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 26%. Those campaigns are popular among public. As for media coverage of international events on climate change issues, one of the biggest events was the COP3 in Kyoto, in 1997; another is the release of AR5 from 2006 to early 2007, and following events of the G8 summits of Heiligendamm, Germany in 2007, and of Toyako, Japan in 2008. Until now, not much attention has been paid to climate change communication research, as social scientists seldom join research projects concerning climate change science. But recent severe weather, such as stronger or early-season typhoons, heavier rainfalls, early arrival of spring (e.g., earlier bloom of cherry blossoms), and the bleaching of coral reefs bring awareness not only to the general public but also to social scientists. Lack of participation by social scientists in climate change communication research has meant a very narrow range of communication with the public. Experts try to “teach” the science of climate change, and actions such as “50 easy things for tackling global warming,” but it seems those are not what ordinary people want to know. Furthermore, there seems to be no debate on what climate change will bring us, what kinds of energy we should choose, who might be more vulnerable. Debate on ethical issues, justice issues, and sharing of responsibility will be need to be part of future climate change communication.

scholarly journals Empowering hope-based climate change communication techniques for the Gulf of Maine

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee Bonanno ◽  
Megan Ennes ◽  
Jennifer A. Hoey ◽  
Emily Moberg ◽  
Sarah-Mae Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Coastal Development ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Scientific Authority ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation

The Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming marine areas on the planet: The industries and creatures that call it home face an unprecedented shift in their interactions and existence. Scientists, policy makers, and practitioners often want to communicate to the public about the seriousness of the situation to encourage mitigation and adaptation. Many standard communication strategies that rely on fear and scientific authority alone—rather than comprehensive explanations that include solutions—can leave audiences feeling overwhelmed and disengaged, instead of hopeful and motivated to act. In this practice bridge, we showcase a social science research-based climate change communication “tool-kit” for the Gulf of Maine, using one example for each climate driver addressed at the Gulf of Maine 2050 Symposium (temperature and circulation: lobster fisheries; coastal and ocean acidification: seagrass restoration; sea-level rise: coastal development). Communication models that involve the head (understanding of climate change), heart (hope through agency and efficacy), and hands (intentions to participate in community action) further engagement in climate change conversations. We explain the research behind our communication framework, enabling practitioners to extend this case study to their own work.

scholarly journals Climate Change Adaptation through the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Southern Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvester Mpandeli ◽  
Dhesigen Naidoo ◽  
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi ◽  
Charles Nhemachena ◽  
Luxon Nhamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Trade Offs

Climate change is a complex and cross-cutting problem that needs an integrated and transformative systems approach to respond to the challenge. Current sectoral approaches to climate change adaptation initiatives often create imbalances and retard sustainable development. Regional and international literature on climate change adaptation opportunities and challenges applicable to southern Africa from a water-energy-food (WEF) nexus perspective was reviewed. Specifically, this review highlights climate change impacts on water, energy, and food resources in southern Africa, while exploring mitigation and adaptation opportunities. The review further recommends strategies to develop cross-sectoral sustainable measures aimed at building resilient communities. Regional WEF nexus related institutions and legal frameworks were also reviewed to relate the WEF nexus to policy. Southern Africa is witnessing an increased frequency and intensity in climate change-associated extreme weather events, causing water, food, and energy insecurity. A projected reduction of 20% in annual rainfall by 2080 in southern Africa will only increase the regional socio-economic challenges. This is exacerbating regional resource scarcities and vulnerabilities. It will also have direct and indirect impacts on nutrition, human well-being, and health. Reduced agricultural production, lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and clean, sustainable energy are the major areas of concern. The region is already experiencing an upsurge of vector borne diseases (malaria and dengue fever), and water and food-borne diseases (cholera and diarrhoea). What is clear is that climate change impacts are cross-sectoral and multidimensional, and therefore require cross-sectoral mitigation and adaptation approaches. In this regard, a well-coordinated and integrated WEF nexus approach offers opportunities to build resilient systems, harmonise interventions, and mitigate trade-offs and hence improve sustainability. This would be achieved through greater resource mobilisation and coordination, policy convergence across sectors, and targeting nexus points in the landscape. The WEF nexus approach has potential to increase the resilience of marginalised communities in southern Africa by contributing towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 13).

Pro-Environmental Views of Climate Skeptics

Contexts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Haltinner ◽  
Dilshani Sarathchandra
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Current Climate ◽  
Using Data

Using data from interviews with self-identified climate change skeptics, it becomes clear that there is a public misperception about climate change skepticism. Skeptics are concerned about pollution, support environmentally friendly policies, and oppose continued reliance on oil. Current climate change communication is problematic; here, we explore the policies that garner skeptics’ support.

Climate Change Communication Research: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Eise ◽  
Natalie J. Lambert ◽  
Tiwaladeoluwa Adekunle ◽  
Kelsey Eversole ◽  
Laura Eise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Change Communication

Climate Change Communication in China

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Li ◽  
Luo Dan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Early Period ◽  
First Year ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
The Government

As one of the most serious challenges facing humankind during the 21st century, climate change not only relates to many fields such as science, culture, economics, and politics, but also affects the survival and future development of human beings. In China, climate change communication research specifically first began to be conducted quite late, as the significance of climate change issues came to the fore in the international arena. The year 2007 is known as China’s “first year of climate change communication research.” Climate change coverage up to 2007 can be divided into two periods: In the early period, the number of reports was small, the reporting agenda was simple, and public’s attention was limited, whereas in the late period coverage changed visibly: the amount of coverage experienced a sharp increase, the topics covered were diverse, and reporting gradually reached an advanced level of sophistication. Research on climate change is not only limited to the analysis of science reporters from the professional field, but also includes studies conducted by the government, academia, NGOs, enterprises, and the like, and it has already reached certain research conclusions. Media coverage of climate issues and research on climat communication complement each other—the former promoting the latter and the latter enriching the former—and they jointly advance the dissemination of climate issues in China. This article hopes to sort out the research on media reports on climate change and climate change communication research to gain an overall and comprehensive understanding of climate change communication in China

Climate Change Communication in Austria

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Rhomberg
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Media Representations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Winter Tourism ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Alpine Regions ◽  
Innovation And Technology

Research on climate change communication is a neglected field in Austria. Only slowly, scientists as well as policy makers are entering the domain of communicating climate change, especially in subprojects of larger funding initiatives by the Austrian Environment Ministry and the Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology. In the field of communication research, only sporadic studies can be found: Some of them are investigating science-policy-interfaces and communication among stakeholders; others are focusing on awareness of climate change, especially in climate sensitive areas like (winter) tourism, agriculture, and forestry, which are significant economic fields in Austria and in which major efforts have to be taken to enhance adaptive capacities. Only a few studies are dealing with media representations of climate. Therefore, this article outlines a future research program, based on the assessment of existing scholarship. More scientific efforts should be given to the following fields of research: public communication of stakeholders, studies on media representation of climate change and framing and its effects as well as comparative studies with countries sharing comparable climate scenarios, and the strong need for adapting to climate change (e.g., from Alpine regions) as well as similar political structures.

scholarly journals Visual climate change communication: key points for public engagement 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosmarie de Wit ◽  
Annemarie Lexer ◽  
Matthias Themessl ◽  
Andrea Prutsch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Visual Communication ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Communication Research ◽  
Climate Change Communication ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

<p>‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ and ‘seeing is believing’. Clearly, images are considered to be incredibly powerful communication tools. The project ‚Images of Change’, which is funded by the Austrian Climate Research Program, wants to harness the power of visuals in climate change communication. To do so, the project focusses at developing different visual communication formats aimed at young adults, with the goal to support a better understanding of facts and invite climate friendly behavior as well as policy acceptance. In order to hit the ground running, existing (visual) climate change communication formats of different national meteorological and environmental organizations, academia, the media as well as non- governmental organizations (NGOs) were collected, analyzed and compared to best practices as reported in climate communication research. Here, we will present an overview of the key findings from psychological as well as communication research on how to successfully communicate the causes, impacts and solutions of climate change to non-scientists. Specifics on how to engage young adults as well as how to implement visuals in climate change communication in order to achieve the highest impact and increase the motivation to act in a climate friendly manner will also be highlighted. Finally, a selection of existing visual communication campaigns will be presented and discussed. Based on these formats, we will take a deeper look into how the best practice guidelines postulated by the communication science community may be implemented in our own work as climate communicators in academia as well as national weather services.</p>

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