EXTREME WEATHER MESSAGING RESOURCES

National surveys conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and Muhlenberg College before and after Superstorm Sandy explore how personal experiences of weather events affect public perceptions of global warming.

A report that provides an analysis of precipitation records over the last six decades, as well as policy recommendations to reduce the pollution that causes global warming and protect communities from more frequent and intense precipitation events.

A fact sheet on the ways in which cities are experiencing extreme weather and how local governments are responding to the increasing frequency and intensity of these events.

A messaging guide for connecting the dots between Hurricane Sandy and climate change, and on how to tell the story behind the catastrophe, including the costs of climate change, the tragedy of delay, and the vested fossil-fuel interests blocking the switch to clean energy. 

Messaging recommendations that communicators should consider when talking about the connections between Sandy (or any storm) and climate change.

A report from Oxfam draws on new research that paints a startling view of the impacts of extreme weather on international staple crop prices, suggesting that current research is underestimating the implications of climate change on food insecurity.

A media analysis of wildfire coverage in July 2012 finds that while more outlets mentioned climate change than in previous months, many reports failed to communicate the connection between climate change and wildfire risk.

An analysis from Media Matters on the frequency of climate change references within news coverage of the recent Western wildfires. The report also includes perspectives from scientists on whether journalists should communicate the link between climate change and wildfire risk.

To place the Colorado wildfires into a climate change context, Anna Fahey (Sightline Institute's Communications Strategist and Climate Access advisory board member) gathered a "best of" collection of expert responses.

A nationally representative survey found that a large majority of Americans say they personally experienced an extreme weather event in the past year and that the weather in their own local area and across the U.S. is getting worse as a result of global warming.

Guidelines for communicating about the connections between extreme weather and climate change to help the public understand how individual events are part of a larger trend.

In conjunction with the IPCC’s release of its report on managing the risks of extreme weather, Climate Access presents exclusive interviews with two experts on the importance of the findings and how climate communicators should incorporate them into their work.

A science primer that explains how weather events are influenced by climate change. 

View the report and accompanying videos here.

How scientists can facilitate framing and communication about the connections between climate change and weather events.

A review of the health impacts of climate change and strategies for increasing public awareness.

Academic journal article proposing a public health approach to climate change, based on essential public health services, andoffering public health actions to address climate change.