CLIMATE SCIENCE MESSAGING RESOURCES

From public skepticism about anthropogenic warming, to the role that scientists can play as messengers, these resources tackle the challenge of communicating about climate science.

 

 

Collection Resources

Carbon 101 Explainer
The Climate Institute, 2012
A primer from the Climate Institute describes the terminology of “carbon jargon” and graphically explains why carbon dioxide and other emissions are considered carbon pollution.
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Expert credibility in climate change
William Anderegga, James Prallb, Jacob Haroldc, Stephen Schneider, 2010, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

An analysis of the climate scientist community that assesses the level of agreement about anthropogenic warming among climate experts.

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Science in an Age of Scrutiny: How Scientists Can Respond to Criticism and Personal Attacks
Union of Concerned Scientists, 2012

This guide from the Union of Concerned Scientists provides "do's and don'ts" for addressing personal attacks against scientists, including how to deal with harassing correspondence and how to respond to hostile bloggers.

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Scientists share blame for public’s ignorance of science
David Kramer, 2012, Physics Today

An article on how scientists can improve their ability to communicate with the public about complex issues like climate change by developing storytelling skills and by “not by dumbing things down, but by smartening up how we convey what we know.”

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Boomerang Effects in Science Communication: How Motivated Reasoning and Identity Cues Amplify Opinion Polarization About Climate Mitigation Policies
P. Sol Hart, Erik Nisbet, 2011, Communication Research

A study of motivated reasoning within the context of science communication that examined how science-based messages may increase public polarization on controversial issues like climate change.

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Tip Sheet: How to Navigate Advocacy in Science

Guidelines from Nicholas Steneck (director of the Research Ethics and Integrity Program of the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research) for scientists to keep in mind when communicating about climate change, especially within a public policy context.

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Communicating the science of climate change
Susan Joy Hassol, Richard Somerville, 2011, Physics Today

An examination of the public perception of climate change, reasons behind large-scale public confusion about the science, the use of climate modeling, and communication challenges.

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Science Denial and the Science Classroom
Dennis W. C. Liu, 2012, CBE—Life Sciences Education

An examination of the root of climate science denial and a review of the resources that teachers and students can use to recognize denialist tactics.  

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Climate Science Communications Assessment
RESOLVE, 2012, Packard Foundation, Hewlett Foundation

An analysis of the current capacity of the climate science communications field as it relates to the needs of decision makers (by RESOLVE for the Hewlett Foundation and the Packard Foundation).

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The polarizing impact of science literacy and numeracy on perceived climate change risks
Paul Slovic, Maggie Wittlin, Lisa Larrimore Ouellette, Gregory Mandel, Ellen Peters, Donald Braman, Dan Kahan, 2012, Nature Climate Change

A Yale survey finds that people with high levels of scientific literacy are more culturally polarized. The findings are consistent with the notion that climate change has become highly politicized, but divisions are due to worldviews not merely partisanship.

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Politicization of Science in the Public Sphere: A Study of Public Trust in the United States, 1974 to 2010
Gordon Gauchat, 2012, American Sociological Association

A study that explores trends in public trust in science from 1974 to 2010, which found that conservatives began the time period with the highest levels of trust in science and ended with the lowest.

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Tip Sheet: Talking about the Science

Sample responses that climate communicators can use when facing common challenges to climate science.

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Talking Climate Science
Anna Fahey, 2011, Sightline Institute

An interactive presentation by Sightline Institute that provides an overview of public opinion on climate change, a discussion of the challenges associated with motivating action, and recommendations for communicating about climate science.

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Climate of Denial Can science and the truth withstand the merchants of poison?
Al Gore, 2011

An article framing the media as the referee in a wrestling match - between science and reason on one side, and polluters and right-wing ideologues on the other - before presenting solutions.

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Scientists finally get angry about indifference to climate change
Michael Brooks, 2011

An article discussing the role of science and scientists, as many are becoming more vocal and active in the face of climate change.

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Fact-Free Science
Judith Warner, 2011

An article about President Obama's scientific research and education proposal and the challenges of the politicization of science and climate denial rhetoric in Washington.

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Communication gap: The Disconnect Between What Scientists Say and What the Public Hears
Charles Schmidt, 2009

An article that examines public opinion of climate science, including "mental shortcuts," confusion about scientific uncertainty, and values.

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On issues like global warming and evolution, scientists need to speak up
Chris Mooney, 2010

Following "Climategate," the author asserts that scientists should take a more central communications role in translating climate science to the public.

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Communicating the Science of Climate Change: A Mutual Challenge for Scientists and Educators
Henry Hengeveld, Gordon McBean, 2000, Environment Canada

A study of the confusion and misinformation around climate science and the need for educators and scientists to improve information and communication methods.

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Ideological cultures and media discourses on scientific knowledge: re-reading news on climate change
Anabela Carvalho, 2007

A media analysis that examines the influence of ideology in climate science reporting on public opinion.

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Flogging a dead norm? Newspaper coverage of anthropogenic climate change in the United States and United Kingdom from 2003 to 2006
Maxwell Boykoff, 2007

Media analysis of "balanced" reporting on climate science.

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