Climate Change And The Power Of Images

The role of visual images in communicating climate change

Peter Makwanya, December 19, 2016 (NewsDay)

“…[Images and representations play a critical role in enhancing climate change knowledge and understanding…[and are] powerful ways of facilitating the climate story…[Whether horrific or plain, they] influence our thinking and shape our emotions towards how we feel about climate change…While horrific images have the power to change human behaviour, they also can raise awareness and inspire people to engage in concrete climate action. Climate action is the underlying factor in sustainable mitigation and adaptation activities…They also help us interrogate the way we engage in climate change issues, in terms of guidance, application and facilitation…

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Images can help communicate climate issues, not in the abstract sense, but in concrete and real terms…[and they] can capture people’s attention and spur them to act…[They also] help to enforce a sense of urgency in changing people’s behaviours, attitudes and perceptions, as well as some deeply entrenched myths and beliefs…The endorsement of climate change action by politicians and celebrities could help show that climate change is a serious issue that requires immediate attention…[and] promote both external and internal motivation of how best to deal with the climate change phenomena…When used well, climate change visuals and images can work as part of a bigger communication strategy…” click here for more

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