Visuals in Climate Communication: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Summary

Images are powerful. They can make you feel things, help you understand, and motivate you to take action. Studies have shown that people can be influenced by visuals when it comes to climate change. For example, when you see a visual representation of rising sea levels or an infographic that shows how deforestation causes carbon emissions, it can have a stronger and more lasting impact on you.

We carefully researched visuals in climate communication by checking academic papers and peer-reviewed articles. We wanted to understand what makes climate communication unique and how visuals help in this process, so we chose papers with pictures inside the article itself for our study.

These studies found that using visual aids in climate communication is not just about educating people; it can also have an impact on policymakers and other important stakeholders. Good visuals can help them understand complex data and scientific research, making it easier for them to take action. Plus, these visuals can simplify complicated information, making it more convincing and easier for decision-makers to get behind.

Also, when we discuss how pictures and videos help communicate the message about climate change, it is important to remember how much digital media and social media platforms matter. Sharing visual content on social media can spread quickly and reach all kinds of people, making the message louder and raising awareness among many more people.

Using visuals in climate communication can really make a difference in how people see things, especially when it comes to shaping public opinion, influencing policy decisions, and mobilizing people to take action. This review will help you understand how visuals can drive change towards a more sustainable future. It shows how visual aids can be a powerful tool to help people better understand climate change and motivate them to do something about it.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been interest in the field of climate communication, with experts exploring different paths to communicate about climate change effectively. One area that has received particular attention is the role of visuals in this process. In this review, we delve into the use of various types of visuals, including graphs, comics, 3D imagery, and photographs, to communicate climate-related information. By analyzing and synthesizing the literature on the findings of multiple studies in this area, we seek to provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding regarding the use of visuals for climate communication. To ensure the quality of our review, we utilized a rigorous search process, using the tools Google Scholar, JSTOR, and Scopus, and filtered the articles to include only those that contained images within the article itself.

The results revealed a wide range of outcomes and complexities, indicating both potential advantages and difficulties associated with integrating visuals into efforts related to climate communication. It was determined that visuals are vital in enhancing audience comprehension and engagement and influencing behavioral changes within climate communication.