| Media Influences Our Perception of Climate Change | |
 Researchers have found that over a period of three years climate change articles printed by the media were less than one month’s worth of articles discussing health issues.
The articles printed delivered a mixed message regarding the imminence and severity of environmental problems.
The University of Liverpool researchers have indicated that climate change issues will not be taken seriously until the media highlights the implications. Dr Neil Gavin, from the School of Politics and Communication Studies has said that when the media gives limited coverage to a particular topic, such as climate change, then readers receive an impression that climate change is not a serious issue and does not require decisive action. He believes that the manner in which the media handle such issues shapes the public’s perception of its gravity or lack thereof. Dr Gavin says “Climate change may not be high enough on the media agenda to stimulate the sort of public concern that prompts concerted public action. The media may well continue to focus its attention on health, the economy or crime, thereby drawing public attention away from the issue of climate change. Even if the British Government wanted to push climate change further up the agenda, it is not necessarily in a position to shape the debate that takes place in the media. Dr Gavin explains: “Our research suggests that the media is not treating these issues with the seriousness that scientists would say they deserve. The research company Ipsos-MORI found that 50% of people think that the jury is still out on the causes of global warming. The limited amount of coverage – which tends to be restricted to broadsheets – means that this statistic is unlikely to change in the short-term.”
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