A State of Emergency or Business as Usual in Climate Science Communication? A Three-Dimensional Perspective on the Role Perceptions of Climate Scientists, Climate Journalists, and Citizens. Issue 6 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nicolaisen, Peter Busch
• Is Part Of: Science communication. Volume 44:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 667
• Page End: 692
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: climate change -- environmental communication -- environmental journalism -- public engagement -- scientists' perception of public communication; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Knowledge, Sociology of -- Periodicals; Communication in science -- Periodicals; Communication of technical information -- Periodicals; Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; Information scientifique -- Périodiques; Information technique -- Périodiques; Communication en sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Communication en médecine -- Périodiques; 300.14
• DOI: 10.1177/10755470221136220
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1075-5470

Abstract

Building on post-normal science, Brüggemann et al. (2020) suggest that the uncertain, disputed, high-stakes, and urgent character of the climate challenge facing modern societies may alter the conventional notion of what is expected of scientists, journalists, and citizens in the public discussion of climate science. This article examines this notion via 15 focus groups with climate scientists, climate journalists, and citizens ( N = 76). The analysis shows that neither of the three actors want climate scientists and climate journalists to act as advocates. However, interestingly, it is seen as legitimate for climate scientists to express emotions connected to their findings.