How Does the Mind Grasp Climate Change?
A Research-Based Guide Tries to Narrow a Communication Gap
A poll conducted in October shows that the proportion of Americans who are convinced that human activity is warming Earth’s climate has dropped sharply since last year, to under 40 percent–even though most scientists say the evidence is overwhelming. A concise new publication delves into what goes on in human minds that causes this disconnect, and what communicators of climate science can do about it.
The new 43-page guide, The Psychology of Climate Change Communication, released today by Columbia University’s Center for Research on Environmental Decisions, looks at how people process information and decide to take action, or not. Using research into groups as disparate as African farmers and conservative U.S. voters, it offers insights on how scientists, journalists and educators can convey evolving scientific knowledge, increase chances that the public will understand what they are saying, and take action when appropriate.
http://earth.columbia.edu/articles/view/2577
Tags: Adaption, Carbon Footprint
