Climate of truth?

London – Apocalyptic messages about climate change emanating from some sections of the scientific community are turning the general public off this entire debate, warn researchers at the UK Tyndall Centre – a centre bringing together scientists, economists, engineers and social scientists to develop sustainable responses to climate change.

In a presentation to the British Association's science communication conference, 14-15 May, Prof. Mike Hulme of the Tyndall Centre detailed the findings of a report titled Is this climate porn? into how climate change communication affects public perceptions and behaviour.

While people are deeply concerned about climate change, there is a disconnect between this and the sacrifices they are willing to make in response, Hulme said in a BBC report available via the Tyndall Centre’s website.

According to Hulme, the study found that alarmist messages about global warming are generating apathy among their target audience. Moreover he noted that exaggerated claims by leading scientists are serving to sensationlise the subject in the media.

“Popular reporting of climate change in the style of environmental science fiction appears not to be a catalyst for change; rather it creates a nagging concern, the solution to which is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary person,” said the Tyndall Centre expert.