Communicating climate change: challenges ahead and action needed

Abstract

Purpose

Even though climate change is a matter of great scientific relevance and of broad general interest, there are some problems related to its communication. The purpose of this paper is to outline some of the problems inherent to the communication of climate change, list some of the challenges ahead and describe some of the action needed in order to allow it to be better and more widely communicated.

Design/methodology/approach

A description of trends related to education and communication on climate change is made and some recent trends are outlined.

Findings

Finding practical, workable and cost‐efficient solutions to the problems posed by climate change is now a world priority and one which links government and non‐government organisations in a way not seen before. In order to yield the expected results, current initiatives need to be complemented by sound education and communication strategies.

Originality/value

The paper describes the barriers seen when one tries to communicate climate change and outlines some of the current misconceptions of what climate change is. It also suggests a set of measures to address the existing deficiencies.

Citation

Leal Filho, W. (2009), "Communicating climate change: challenges ahead and action needed", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 6-18. https://doi.org/10.1108/17568690910934363