Report on Climate Change Communication and Its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Despite increasing climate-related disasters such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and floods, global responses to climate change remain insufficient. This report examines the psychological factors influencing public perception and action on climate change, emphasizing the importance of effective communication aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Psychological Barriers to Climate Action

Research indicates that the human brain struggles to recognize slow, incremental environmental changes, leading to widespread apathy. This phenomenon, known as the “boiling frog effect,” causes people to underestimate the severity of climate change as their perception of “normal” gradually shifts.

Case Study: Loss of Winter Ice Skating in Princeton, New Jersey

In Princeton, New Jersey, a decline in winter ice skating on Lake Carnegie over the past century has become a tangible indicator of climate change. Unlike abstract temperature graphs, the binary presence or absence of lake ice provides a clear and relatable example of environmental impact, making climate change more personal and real for residents.

Experimental Findings on Climate Data Presentation

1. Participants were shown two types of graphs depicting climate trends in a fictional town:
   • Rising winter temperatures (gradual data)
   • Binary data indicating whether the lake froze each year (yes/no)
2. Results demonstrated that binary data led to a stronger perception of climate change impact compared to gradual temperature data.
3. Follow-up studies with real data from lakes in North America and Europe confirmed these findings.

Implications for Climate Communication and SDGs

Effective communication strategies that emphasize concrete, relatable losses can enhance public engagement and support for climate action. This approach supports several SDGs:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Encourages urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by making the issue more understandable and immediate.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): By highlighting health-related climate impacts such as wildfire smoke, communication can promote public health awareness.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Emphasizes the protection of cultural and recreational activities affected by climate change.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Supports educational initiatives that use clear visuals and relatable examples to teach about climate change.

Recommendations

1. Policy-makers, journalists, and educators should focus on presenting climate data in binary or black-and-white terms to create a perception of clear “before” and “after” scenarios.
2. Highlight tangible environmental losses such as:
   • Winters without ice skating
   • Harvests damaged by drought
   • Summers filled with wildfire smoke
3. Use visual tools that contrast past conditions with current realities to make climate change more relatable and urgent.
4. Encourage public engagement by making climate change impacts visible and personally relevant.

Conclusion

Climate change is not only a physical crisis but also a psychological challenge. Aligning communication strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals can foster greater awareness and motivate decisive action. By making climate impacts tangible and relatable, society can better address the urgent need for sustainable development and climate resilience.

Authors

Grace Liu, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania

Rachit Dubey, UCLA

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article focuses on the impacts of global warming, climate change communication, and the need for decisive action to address climate-related disasters and gradual environmental changes.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article mentions climate extremes such as heatwaves and wildfire smoke, which directly affect human health and well-being.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article discusses local impacts of climate change on communities, such as the loss of winter ice skating traditions, reflecting changes in local environments and lifestyles.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education – The article emphasizes the importance of effective communication and education strategies to raise awareness and understanding of climate change impacts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination (including impacts from wildfire smoke and heatwaves).
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and vulnerable.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including education for sustainable lifestyles and climate change awareness.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Binary Climate Impact Indicators: The article highlights the use of binary indicators such as “lake froze” vs. “no freeze” as a clear and tangible measure of climate change impact on local environments. This can be used to track changes in climate conditions that affect communities directly.
2. Frequency and Severity of Climate Extremes: Implied indicators include the occurrence and intensity of heatwaves, floods, hurricanes, and wildfire smoke events, which relate to measuring resilience and health impacts.
3. Public Awareness and Perception Metrics: The article discusses psychological responses and awareness levels regarding climate change, implying the use of surveys or studies measuring public perception and understanding as indicators for education and communication effectiveness.
4. Loss of Traditional Activities: The decline in winter ice skating due to reduced freezing periods serves as an indicator of environmental and cultural impact of climate change on communities.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: newscientist.com