Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2730
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2730
08 Dec 2023
 | 08 Dec 2023

Evaluating the impact of climate communication activities by scientists: What is known and necessary?

Frances Wijnen, Madelijn Strick, Mark Bos, and Erik van Sebille

Abstract. Climate scientists and others are urged to communicate climate science in a way that non-scientific audiences can understand, that makes it more relevant to their lives and experiences, and that inspires them to act. To achieve this, climate scientists undertake a range of climate communication activities to engage people with climate change. With the effort and time spent on climate communication activities, comes the need to evaluate the outcomes, impact and effectiveness of such efforts. Here, we aimed to gain insight into the impact and effectiveness of climate communication efforts by scientists by conducting a systematic literature review. However, our most important finding is that there are hardly any studies in which climate communication activities by scientists are evaluated: we found only seven articles over the past ten years. We analyze these articles for the role of the scientists, the audiences reached and the reported outcomes and impact of the activities. We end our study with several recommendations that should be considered when setting up studies on evaluating the impact of climate communication activities by scientists.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

18 Apr 2024
| Highlight paper
Evaluating the impact of climate communication activities by scientists: what is known and necessary?
Frances Wijnen, Madelijn Strick, Mark Bos, and Erik van Sebille
Geosci. Commun., 7, 91–100, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-91-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-91-2024, 2024
Short summary Executive editor
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Engaging a broad public in climate sciences is crucial for educating and motivating action. In...
Short summary
Climate scientists are urged to communicate climate science, there is very little evidence about...
Share