Climate change communication skills

Like any other complex scientific and social issues, there are uncertainties in the discussion of climate change. But skeptics often use this (and sometimes even abuse it) to block the introduction of relevant policies. In response, scientists have to devote most of their energy to emphasizing and explaining this uncertainty.

Unfortunately, however, this way of communication between scientists often does not conform to the principle of effective communication. It is difficult for people to extract concise information from complex data.

According to the British Guardian, in order to solve this problem, the University of Bristol and the Climate Outreach and Information Network recently published a book "Uncertainty Manual", summarizing the communication criteria that should be paid attention to in 12.

1. Manage audience expectations

People always expect clear answers from science, but science is actually just a way to ask questions in order to understand the world. Therefore, communicators need to learn to manage the expectations of the audience and explain them by analogy, so that the audience can understand that uncertainty is universal, not unique to climate science.

Get to the point

Communicators often like to pave the way before entering the theme. But in fact, many basic questions have been confirmed by science, such as "Is climate change caused by humans?" Or "If we don't reduce carbon emissions, will the climate change like never before?"

3. Be clear about scientific knowledge.

The disseminator's scientific knowledge in the field of climate change should be clear and consistent. This is very important, because it will affect whether people think that climate change is a problem that urgently needs social action. Use clear charts (such as pie charts), then find a trustworthy person to broadcast these scientific knowledge, and try to find the values of the audience and disseminators.

4. From "Uncertainty" to "Risk"

Most people are familiar with the concept of risk. It is the common language of insurance, health and national security departments. For many listeners (politicians, business leaders or the military), talking about the "risks" of climate change may be more effective than talking about "uncertainties".

5. The story told focuses on human beings.

The amount of carbon dioxide we emit in the next 50 years will determine the degree of climate change. Therefore, what we humans choose to do and how fast we can act together are actually the biggest uncertainties.

6. Understand how the audience's views are influenced.

Among people with right-wing political thinking, the proportion that climate change is uncertain is higher. Now more and more research points out the direction for the spread of climate change and ensures that the language used is more right-leaning.

The most important question is "when", not "if"

When communicators talk about the prediction of climate change, they usually use the format of "uncertain results", for example, "by 2072, the sea level will rise between 25 and 68 cm, with an average rise of 50 cm". If we change it and make time an uncertain factor, the question becomes when (not whether) the sea level will rise by 50 cm: "The sea level will rise by at least 50 cm sometime between 2060 and 2093."

8. Use pictures and stories

Most people know the world through pictures and stories, not a series of numbers, probability expressions or technical charts. Therefore, the key is how to "translate" the technical language in scientific and technological reports to be easy to understand. On the basis of understanding scientific prediction, visual artists can express sea level rise more clearly and intuitively.

9. Highlight the advantages of uncertainty

It is found that if communicators can reorganize their language against uncertainty and call on everyone to be vigilant, uncertainty will not prevent them from taking action to deal with climate change. For example, if preventive measures are taken in time, there may be no loss.

10. Effectively spread the influence of climate.

"Is this weather event caused by climate change?" The question itself is incorrect. Just as people with weak immune system are more likely to suffer from various diseases, no one has ever asked, "Is every disease caused by weak immune system?" The same logic applies to climate change and some extreme weather events: climate change can only increase the probability and severity of weather events.

1 1. Have a dialogue instead of arguing.

Although the media pays too much attention to skeptics, most people still pay no attention to the topic of climate change. This means that dialogue can promote public participation more effectively than debating or repeating slogans.