A Field Guide to Climate Contrarians: Strategies for Responding to Misinformation, Myths, and Misunderstandings
Abstract
Despite overwhelming and ever-strengthening evidence about the reality of anthropogenic climate change, communication around the topic remains a challenge. Scientists, journalists, and educators who communicate about climate change frequently encounter public pushback, whether it's steadfast refusal to accept the science, or more nuanced positions of uncertainty, doubtfulness, confusion, or hopelessness. We know there is no magic bullet that can appease and motivate all audiences. There are, however, specific strategies with demonstrated effectiveness. Relatable explanations of the science of climate change can help clarify conflicting information and offer a consistent message over time. Exposing the techniques of climate misinformation can 'inoculate' people against future exposures to misinformation. Engaging in a genuine dialog allows people on all sides to be heard, and sets the stage for conversations about shared concerns and possible solutions. Lastly, using persuasive discourse can make connections with people's priorities and core values.
This talk will share examples of each of these strategies, written by expert scientists and communicators. These examples address well-worn myths, such as the idea that the climate changes on its own and therefore humans can't be causing it; scientists are blindly motivated by grant money; Al Gore's predictions have all been wrong; and others. People who are reluctant to accept climate science are motivated by various factors. Thus we present a 'field guide' to help identify different types of contrarian actors with the aim of tailoring our responses and choosing how, or if, to engage with them. For example, it's important to determine if someone is driven by hyperpartisanship, or economics, or is genuinely unclear on the science. Different messages resonate in different circumstances. Correcting climate misinformation is a long-term challenge. But fruitful pathways exist, and these strategies can offer scientists and communicators some guidelines for honing their own responses to those who remain reluctant to accept climate science. Outcomes of this work are also presented in a series of articles in Yale Climate Connections, at: https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/author/karin/.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMPA42C..03K
- Keywords:
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- 1699 General or miscellaneous;
- GLOBAL CHANGEDE: 6319 Institutions;
- POLICY SCIENCESDE: 6620 Science policy;
- PUBLIC ISSUESDE: 6699 General or miscellaneous;
- PUBLIC ISSUES