Climate change is a complex and urgent story, demanding careful consideration of tone and language from the journalists covering the issue.
Journalists bear a responsibility for conveying the science, the impacts, and the potential solutions of climate change accurately without resorting to alarmism or complacency.
Here’s a guide to navigating this crucial balance:
Prioritise accuracy and nuance:
- Avoid hyperbole and sensationalism: While the stakes are high, exaggerated language can undermine credibility and foster distrust. Stick to verifiable facts and data.
- Acknowledge uncertainty: Science is a process of refinement. When dealing with climate projections, clearly differentiate between established consensus and areas of ongoing research. Use phrases such as “scientists project” or “models suggest” to convey appropriate levels of certainty.
- Define technical terms: Climate science is rife with jargon. Explain terms such as “carbon neutrality,” “RCP scenarios,” and “climate feedback loops” in clear, accessible language. See our Climate change glossary. See our Climate change glossary.
- Represent diverse perspectives: While scientific consensus on the reality and severity of climate change is overwhelming, acknowledge the existence of differing viewpoints within the scientific community and among policymakers. However, avoid false balance by giving undue weight to fringe theories. See our article on ‘False balance and false equivalence’.
Strike a balance between urgency and hope:
- Convey the gravity of the situation: Don’t shy away from reporting on the real and devastating impacts of climate change, from extreme weather events to sea-level rise.
- Highlight solutions and those working for change: Focus on stories of innovation, resilience, and action. Showcase individuals, communities, and organisations working to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
- Frame the story as a collective challenge: Emphasise the shared responsibility of addressing climate change, fostering a sense of community and encouraging collaborative action.
- Avoid apocalyptic language: While the risks are significant, framing the climate crisis as an inevitable apocalypse can lead to apathy and disengagement. Instead, focus on the potential for change and the importance of immediate action.
Choose language carefully:
- Move beyond “climate change”: Consider using more specific terms such as “climate crisis,” “climate emergency,” or “global heating” when appropriate, to reflect the urgency of the situation.
- Humanise the story: Focus on the human impacts of climate change, telling the stories of individuals and communities affected by extreme weather events, displacement, and resource scarcity.
- Avoid language that normalises inaction: Phrases such as “business as usual” or “inevitable consequences” can create a sense of fatalism. Instead, emphasise the agency of individuals and institutions to effect change.
- Be mindful of the emotional impact of language: Words such as “catastrophe” or “disaster” can be triggering for some audiences. Consider using more nuanced language that conveys the severity of the situation without causing undue alarm.
- Use respectful language: avoid terms that could be seen as demeaning or othering to those affected by climate change, especially those from vulnerable communities.
Consider your audience:
- Tailor your language and tone to your audience: A scientific journal will require a different approach than a general-interest news outlet.
- Be mindful of cultural and regional differences: Climate change impacts and responses vary across different regions and cultures.
- Avoid alienating your audience: Use language that is inclusive and accessible to a wide range of readers.
In conclusion, reporting on climate change demands a delicate balance. By prioritising accuracy, nuance, and responsible language, and avoiding adverbs and adjectives, journalists can play a crucial role in informing the public, fostering understanding, and inspiring action.
- Prioritising accuracy and nuance:
- Data integrity and source verification:
- Beyond simply “verifiable facts,” journalists must scrutinise data sources. Consider the provenance of data, the methodologies used, and potential biases.
- Utilise peer-reviewed scientific studies as primary sources. Understand the difference between a pre-print publication and a peer reviewed one.
- Employ data visualisation tools responsibly, ensuring they accurately represent the underlying data and avoid misleading interpretations.
- Be transparent about the limitations of data and models.
- Acknowledging uncertainty:
- Explain the range of uncertainty in climate projections, acknowledging that models are tools, not crystal balls.
- Discuss the factors that contribute to uncertainty, such as feedback loops, future emissions scenarios, and natural variability.
- Distinguish between short-term climate variability and long-term climate trends.
- Explain the difference between weather and climate.
- Defining technical terms:
- Create comprehensive glossaries and explainer articles to demystify complex climate concepts. See our ‘Glossary of climate change words and terms‘.
- Use analogies and real-world examples to make technical terms more accessible.
- Consider interactive graphics and videos to illustrate climate processes.
- Explain the meaning of terms such as the IPCC, COP and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- Representing diverse perspectives:
- While avoiding false balance, explore the social, economic, and political dimensions of climate change.
- Include perspectives from marginalised communities, indigenous groups, and developing nations, who are often disproportionately affected by climate change.
- Investigate the role of vested interests and disinformation campaigns in shaping public opinion.
- When reporting on those who deny the reality of climate change, report on who funds their research, and the history of their research, and how it has been debunked.
- Data integrity and source verification:
- Striking a balance between urgency and hope:
- Conveying the gravity of the situation:
- Report on the human cost of climate change with empathy and sensitivity, avoiding sensationalism.
- Document the lived experiences of those affected by extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and other climate impacts.
- Investigate the systemic inequalities that exacerbate climate vulnerability.
- Report on the economics of climate change, and the cost of inaction.
- Highlighting solutions and agency:
- Showcase innovative solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation.
- Profile individuals and communities leading the way in climate action.
- Investigate the role of policy and governance in driving climate solutions.
- Explain the different types of carbon offsetting, and their efficacy.
- Framing the story as a collective challenge:
- Emphasise the interconnectedness of climate change and other global issues, such as poverty, inequality, and public health.
- Promote a sense of shared responsibility and collective action.
- Highlight the importance of international cooperation and multilateralism.
- Avoiding apocalyptic language:
- Focus on the potential for transformative change, emphasizing the agency of individuals and institutions.
- Explore the concept of climate resilience and adaptation, highlighting strategies for building more sustainable and equitable societies.
- Report on the progress being made in climate negotiations, and the potential for future agreements.
- Conveying the gravity of the situation:
- Choosing language carefully:
- Moving beyond “climate change”:
- Use specific terms such as “global heating,” “climate crisis,” or “climate breakdown” when appropriate, to convey the urgency of the situation. See our ‘Glossary of climate change words and terms‘.
- Contextualise climate change within broader environmental and social issues.
- Humanising the Story:
- Tell the stories of individuals and communities affected by climate change, focusing on their resilience and those working for change.
- Use personal narratives to illustrate the human impacts of climate change.
- Report on the mental health impacts of climate change.
- Avoid language that normalises inaction:
- Challenge the assumption that climate change is an inevitable consequence of progress.
- Expose the vested interests that perpetuate inaction.
- Promote a sense of urgency and accountability.
- Being mindful of the emotional impact:
- Use language that is both accurate and sensitive, avoiding triggering or alienating language.
- Provide resources and support for audiences who may be experiencing climate anxiety or grief.
- Using respectful language:
- Avoid language that blames victims of climate change.
- Be aware of the historical context of climate change, and the role of colonialism and industrialisation.
- Moving beyond “climate change”:
- Considering your audience:
- Tailoring language and tone:
- Adapt your language and tone to the specific audience you are addressing.
- Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon and technical terms.
- Consider the cultural and linguistic background of your audience.
- Being mindful of cultural and regional differences:
- Recognise that climate change impacts and responses vary across different regions and cultures.
- Include diverse voices and perspectives in your reporting.
- Avoid imposing Western perspectives on other cultures.
- Avoiding alienating your audience:
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- Use inclusive language that avoids polarising or alienating audiences.
- Focus on shared values and common ground.
- Promote dialogue and collaboration.
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- Tailoring language and tone:
By embracing these principles, journalists can play a crucial role in informing the public, fostering understanding, and inspiring action on climate change.
Questions and answers
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- Question: Why is it important for journalists to avoid hyperbole and sensationalism when reporting on climate change?
- Answer: Exaggerated language can undermine credibility and foster distrust among the audience. Sticking to verifiable facts and data ensures that the information is accurate and reliable.
- Question: How should journalists handle the inherent uncertainties in climate science
- Answer: Journalists should clearly differentiate between established consensus and areas of ongoing research. They should use phrases such as “scientists project” or “models suggest” to convey appropriate levels of certainty, and explain the factors that contribute to uncertainty.
- Question: What is the journalist’s role in making complex climate science accessible to the public?
- Answer: Journalists should define technical terms clearly, using glossaries, explainer articles, analogies, and real-world examples. They should also consider using interactive graphics and videos to illustrate climate processes, and explain the meaning of terms like the IPCC, COP and NDCs.
- Question: How can journalists ensure they represent diverse perspectives on climate change without creating false balance?
- Answer: While acknowledging differing viewpoints, journalists must avoid giving undue weight to fringe theories. They should focus on the overwhelming scientific consensus while also exploring the social, economic, and political dimensions of climate change, including the perspectives of marginalized communities.
- Question: What is the importance of highlighting solutions and agency when reporting on climate change?
- Answer: Focusing on stories of innovation, resilience, and action can inspire hope and empower audiences to take action. Showcasing individuals, communities, and organizations working to mitigate and adapt to climate change can demonstrate that positive change is possible.
- Question: Why should journalists avoid apocalyptic language when reporting on the climate crisis?
- Answer: Framing the climate crisis as an inevitable apocalypse can lead to apathy and disengagement. Instead, journalists should focus on the potential for transformative change and the importance of immediate action.
- Question: What are some examples of language that journalists should use to convey the urgency of climate change?
- Answer: Journalists can use specific terms such as “global heating,” “climate crisis,” or “climate breakdown” when appropriate. They should also contextualize climate change within broader environmental and social issues.
- Question: How can journalists humanise the climate change story?
- Answer: By focusing on the human impacts of climate change, telling the stories of individuals and communities affected by extreme weather events, displacement, and resource scarcity. They should also report on the mental health impacts of climate change.
- Question: Why is it important for journalists to be mindful of the emotional impact of their language?
- Answer: Words such as “catastrophe” or “disaster” can be triggering for some audiences. Journalists should use language that is both accurate and sensitive, and provide resources and support for those experiencing climate anxiety or grief.
- Question: How should journalists tailor their reporting to different audiences?
- Answer: Journalists should adapt their language and tone to the specific audience they are addressing. They should use clear and concise language, avoid jargon, consider cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and avoid alienating their audience.
- Question: Why is it important for journalists to avoid hyperbole and sensationalism when reporting on climate change?
Lesson plan for trainers
If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: Climate Change which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.
