Microsoft Word - Photojournalism_as_a_vehicle_for_public_engagement.docx

The document argues that traditional climate change imagery often relies on stereotypes or distant, 'sublime' disasters that can lead to public apathy or feelings of powerlessness. By reviewing a decade of research, the author suggests that effective communication requires a balance of threat and self-efficacy, recommending the use of local images, human presence, and depictions of innovative solutions rather than solely focusing on victims or destruction.

• Common visual themes in climate change news often rely on symbolic tropes, such as images of pollution (smoke stacks), melting ice sheets, stranded polar bears, and devastation in developing countries, which often serve as mere illustrative 'hooks' rather than storytelling elements.
• Visual 'fear appeals' and images of negative impacts can capture attention but may lead to disengagement by leaving viewers feeling overwhelmed or powerless.
• To effectively motivate action, communicators should combine images of threat (impacts) with images that build self-efficacy, such as successful mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• The use of local images is recommended to reduce the psychological distance felt by viewers and demonstrate the immediate relevance of climate change.
• The author provides four specific recommendations for photo editors: use local images, include people (especially interacting people), show leaders and innovators instead of just victims, and depict 'enviable futures' like green cities and electric cars.

APA

Center for Climate Change Communication (n.d.). Microsoft Word - Photojournalism_as_a_vehicle_for_public_engagement.docx. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GMU_Photojournalism_0.pdf

Chicago

Center for Climate Change Communication. Microsoft Word - Photojournalism_as_a_vehicle_for_public_engagement.docx. n.d. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GMU_Photojournalism_0.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for Climate Change Communication |title=Microsoft Word - Photojournalism_as_a_vehicle_for_public_engagement.docx |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GMU_Photojournalism_0.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforclimatechangecommunicationndmicrosoft, author = {{Center for Climate Change Communication}}, title = {{Microsoft Word - Photojournalism\_as\_a\_vehicle\_for\_public\_engagement.docx}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GMU_Photojournalism_0.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }