Climate Change: A Polarised Issue?

Even though there is a general consensus about human-caused climate change in the scientific sphere, responses towards climate change are becoming increasingly polarised and politicised in the public sphere, especially in Anglophone countries.

A clear driver of this has been the introduction of climate change to the agendas of political parties, thereby becoming part of a political ideology and partaking in people’s social identities.

This polarisation not only impedes constructive dialogue but also redirects attention away from vital discussions, as the focus shifts towards debating the validity of climate change itself instead of the solutions to the problem.

Communicating Across the Divide

Communication shapes our understanding of the world around us and helps us understand each other. However, polarisation incites us to view complex societal issues through a black-and-white lens, which hinders holding meaningful disagreements and instead causes severe clashes between those holding opposing views.

Therefore, if executed without an awareness of these divisive dynamics, communication can intensify the dispute on an issue and contribute to the widening of social division. As can be the case for climate change communication.

Thus, we have a challenge to understand how to communicate about climate change without increasing polarisation and transcending potential ideological divides.

Navigating Climate Communication

As part of a graduation project from Helena Comella, the following resources were developed to address the growing challenge of communicating climate change amid its polarisation. These resources were informed through research conducted for her Bachelor’s Thesis.

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