Is TV your top media choice? Then its likely, according to new research, that climate change is largely off your radar.
A new study appearing in Communication Research shows that watching television has no significant impact on the viewer’s knowledge about climate change. Comparing television to other media sources, the study found that newspapers and the Internet was a far more important factor in one’s knowledge related to global warming.
“Unlike many other social issues with which the public may have first-hand experience, global warming is an issue that many come to learn about through the media,” says author and Communication Professor Xiaoquan Zhao with George Mason University. “The primary source of mediated information about global warming is the news.”
The study questioned participants as to how often they watched TV, surfed the Internet, and read the newspaper, and then asked about their concern and knowledge regarding climate change, most specifically the impact of warming on polar regions.
Those who spent time on the Internet and reading newspapers proved more concerned about climate change and considered themselves more knowledgeable about the subject than TV coach potatoes. Concern about climate change seemed also appeared to lead individuals to seek out a variety of media sources on climate change and even nonmedia sources such as movies.
“Some media forms have clear influence on people’s perceived knowledge of global warming, and most of it seems positive,” says Zhao. “Future research should focus on how to harness this powerful educational function.”
CITATION: Zhao, X. Media use and global warming perceptions: A snapshot of the reinforcing spirals. Communication Research, 36(5), 698-723. 2009.
Related articles
When it comes to global warming Americans trust scientists most, family and friends second
(03/19/2009) A new poll released today by Yale and George Mason Universities finds that Americans trust scientists most when it comes to information on climate change. Second to scientists is family and friends, which beat out environmental organizations, religious leaders, mainstream media, and President Obama.
Over 90 percent of Americans support action on climate change in midst of financial crisis
(03/19/2009) A new poll released today by Yale and George Mason Universities finds that Americans overwhelmingly—92 percent—support action to reduce global warming. However opinions vary as to how much effort should be put into reducing CO2 emissions and what actions are appropriate.
More Americans than ever believe global warming is ‘exaggerated’ by media
(03/12/2009) While a majority of Americans believe the media is either correct or underestimating the threat of climate change, more than ever believe the threat is exaggerated.