How can we tell the story of climate change in a way that really captures people’s attention? How can we ensure that an issue which is profoundly changing the future of us all – and that of our children and grandchildren – is heard?
These were precisely the questions posed at the end of June by German climate journalist Carel Mohn from the Klimafakten.de platform during the “Media for Future” online seminar. The presenter, Magdalena Scharf, wanted to know …
… Why do people often lose interest in climate change issues?
Carel Mohn: People have various basic needs: self-actualisation – which means that people want to have a positive self-image. Esteem – this is essentially measured by the extent to which we are respected and recognised by others. Then there is the need for love and belonging, which has a lot to do with the groups to which one feels connected and one’s identity as a social being. And then – if you go through this list of needs – you will realise that climate change can indeed be perceived as a threat to these needs. Climate policy, too, can be perceived as a threat. Let’s just take one example: identity. If you’re a pilot and have undergone very intensive training that costs a lot of money, you don’t really want to hear that your job is destroying the planet. And because this leads to very unpleasant decisions – quitting your job or finding a way to deal with this very unwelcome truth – you’d rather not grapple with the issue of climate change.
… How can we get people on board with issues relating to climate change?
Carel Mohn: Surveys have shown that people are interested in solutions. And we have many fantastic solutions. Renewable energy is the most obvious example of this. Electric mobility is another example. And there is tremendous momentum. At the same time, we are seeing a political backlash against climate policy in many countries around the world. And these two developments are completely at odds with one another. The media and journalists should convey to the public that there is a way out of this impasse or this political setback, because we certainly do have solutions. Some are better than others. They all come with costs. They have side effects, and as sensible adults we must analyse the costs, the benefits and the side effects, and then make decisions.
… What mistakes have journalists made in the past when reporting on climate change?
Carel Mohn: A common mistake is to focus on individual behaviour rather than on the wider social context. If you tell people that climate change is their problem because they drive a car with a combustion engine, they generally don’t like it. That’s because the responsibility is being placed on their shoulders, and most people feel that’s unfair. So, as an alternative, consider the bigger picture: how is our infrastructure designed? In many cases, it is not our individual choice to use a car or do other things that are bad for the climate. Rather, we are more or less forced to do so because that is how society is organised. These are the incentives created by our tax system. That is how our infrastructure is structured. Fighting against all these external conditions therefore seems very exhausting and demands a great deal of effort. The focus should therefore really be on the systemic framework conditions, which either facilitate positive climate action or lead us to harm the climate, even if that is not our intention at all. The second mistake is symbolised by these images, which focus on the problem without pointing out possible courses of action or solutions.
… How can we report on this summer’s heatwaves in such a way that people take notice?
Carel Mohn: There’s a lot of reporting on the direct effects of extreme weather, which is fine, but we shouldn’t stop there. We should be talking about climate policy and how climate policy or adaptation measures can actually help us solve the underlying fundamental problem.