Seeing Is Believing
Experience with Disasters, Media Use, and Climate Change Fears: Who You Gonna Believe, Media or Your Lyin’ Eyes? View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ann Gordon
Disasters are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change. To what extent does the public see a connection between these disasters and climate change? Relying on the Chapman Survey of American Fears, a representative national survey, I find that personally experiencing natural disasters and extreme weather is correlated with climate change fears, such as the belief that climate change is causing more frequent and severe disasters. However, personal experience is filtered through media usage habits, ideology, and partisanship. Fox News viewers, even those who have experienced natural disasters or extreme weather in the past year, are less likely to be concerned with climate change or its effects. Viewers of MSNBC, CNN, and those who read a daily national newspaper are more likely to fear climate change and climate-fueled disasters, even when controlling for party identification and experience with disasters or extreme weather. Further, because of their climate change beliefs, they are more concerned with disaster preparedness. The need for preparedness and mitigation has become more urgent, with the United States experiencing a growing number of deadly, billion-dollar disasters from the changing climate. In 2023 alone, there were 28 such disasters, with 492 fatalities. Despite this trend, public opinion is less dependent upon lived experience than media consumption and political beliefs.
Experience of Warming Increases Education's Effect on Climate Concern in the U.S. View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session R. Alexander Bentley
Among the strongest predictors of climate change awareness in the U.S., outside partisan filters, is education level. Here we show how, in the U.S., perceptible climate warming increased the effect that education, but not health risk, has on climate concern. Our interpretation is that because education provides capacity to interpret perceived warming, the more warming the greater the effect of education on levels of climate concern.
Unseen and Undervalued: The Overlooked Role of Elderly People in Climate Change Mitigation View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Hari Krishna N Ibanupudi
Older people are the unsung protectors of crucial ecosystems in some of the world's most climate-vulnerable areas—high mountains, dense forests, and coastlines. As younger generations travel to cities for a stable wage, older people are left to manage the delicate balance of ecosystems that sustain local communities and provide critical services to the global environment. These ecosystems serve as frontline climate change buffers, from the Himalayas' delicate cryosphere to the Amazon rainforest's biodiversity and the flood-prone Sundarbans. If neglected, their degradation would hasten global climate impacts, resulting in more frequent and severe natural disasters, biodiversity loss, and increased vulnerability for millions. Despite their critical role, the needs and vulnerabilities of older people living in harsh environments are frequently disregarded in climate policy debates. Their vital contributions, such as traditional knowledge, ecological management, and adaptive methods, are largely overlooked in both local government and global climate forums. This paper emphasises the essential role of older people in climate adaptation and mitigation in these hotspots and advocates for their long-overdue inclusion in climate governance systems. This study advocates for older people's organisations to have a leadership voice in climate policy dialogues, calling for a more equitable and inclusive approach to global climate adaptation strategies—one that recognises the invaluable contributions of older populations and ensures their protection in the face of escalating climate risks.
A Board Game Approach to Climate Change Education and Advocacy View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Jubair Islam
This research discusses "EcoQuest," a board game developed to address the urgent issue of climate change through gamification. EcoQuest aims to bridge the perception gap surrounding climate change by immersing players in its complexities while promoting awareness, empathy, and action-oriented mindsets. The study outlines the game's components, gameplay mechanics, and significance, emphasizing its potential as an educational tool for diverse audiences. The research methodology incorporates qualitative methods to assess the game's effectiveness in conveying climate change concepts and inspiring tangible actions. Data collection includes pre- and post-gameplay questionnaires, supplemented by ethnographic observations, providing insights into players' understanding, engagement, and motivations. The study hypothesizes that EcoQuest can serve as a platform for introducing climate change terminology and concepts, utilizing the power of board games to communicate serious issues effectively. Through this approach, the research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on climate change education and advocacy, offering a creative and interactive solution to a global challenge. Additionally, preliminary research findings suggest that EcoQuest enhances players' understanding of climate change concepts and motivates them to take action, highlighting the game's potential to drive meaningful change through immersive gameplay experiences.
