Climate Change Communication in Colombia

Abstract

Colombia is in a privileged position to take advantage of international climate agreements to finance sustainable development initiatives. The country is a signatory of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreements. As a non-Annex I party to the UNFCCC, Colombia produces low emissions in relation to global numbers (0.46% of total global emissions for 2010) and exhibits biogeographical conditions that are ideal for mitigation of climate change through greenhouse gas sequestration and emission reductions. Simultaneously, recent extreme climatic events have harshly compromised the country’s economy, making Colombia’s vulnerability to climate change evident.While these conditions should justify a strong approach to climate change communication that motivates decision making and leads to mitigation and adaptation, the majority of sectors still fall short of effectively communicating their climate change messages. Official information about climate change is often too technical and rarely includes a call for action. However, a few exceptions exist, including environmental education materials for children and a noteworthy recent strategy to deliver the Third Communication to the UNFCCC in a form that is more palatable to the general public. Despite strong research on climate change, particularly related to agricultural, environmental, and earth sciences, academic products are rarely communicated in a way that is easily understood by decision makers and has a clear impact on public policy. Messages from the mass media frequently confuse rather than inform the public. For instance, television news refers to weather-related disasters, climate variability, and climate change indiscriminately. This shapes an erroneous idea of climate change among the public and weakens the effectiveness of communications on the issue.The authors contrast the practices of these sectors with those of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in Colombia to show how they address the specific climate communication needs facing the country. These NGOs directly face the challenge of working with diverse population groups in this multicultural, multiethnic, and megadiverse country. NGOs customize languages, channels, and messages for different audiences and contexts, with the ultimate goal of building capacity in local communities, influencing policymakers, and sensitizing the private sector. Strategies that result from the work of interdisciplinary groups, involve feedback from the audiences, and incorporate adaptive management have proven to be particularly effective.

Public engagement with climate imagery in a changing digital landscape

“…Images in use may be similar across the world (Metag et al, 2016) due to reliance on the same photo agencies by media outlets, and the dominance of a small number of multinational agencies (Lema Vélez, Hermelin, Fontecha, & Urrego, 2017;Lück et al, 2016). Homogeneity is problematic because audiences may interpret climate imagery very differently, and the public perceptions literature indicates that tailored imagery is most effective (Chapman et al, 2016;Metag et al, 2016).…”

“…For instance, the “Sisters on the Planet” photo exhibition by Oxfam focused on portraying first hand experiences of climate change, and the changes women were making to confront the impacts, using the slogan “people not polar bears” (Manzo, ). Another example is Fondo Accion, an NGO in Colombia that focuses on “moving hearts,” tailoring campaigns to the identities and values of local inhabitants (Lema Velez, Hermelin, & Fontecha, ). However, these campaigns tend to be transient, and sit amidst others that continue to emphasize the appeal of charismatic megafauna (McGaurr, ).…”

Uses and beliefs related to Mac Donald and Bristol almanacs in Old Providence and Santa Catalina islands, Colombia

“…El tiempo atmosférico se cubre a partir de noticias relacionadas con eventos extremos junto a las cuales se mencionan los pronósticos de entidades como el Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales, instancia estatal que pertenece al Sistema Nacional Ambiental. De acuerdo con Lema Veléz et al (2017), en el país la televisión es el medio más popular a través del cual las personas reportan la obtención de información científica; según los autores, en este discuten temas como los eventos de El Niño o La Niña a partir de términos inadecuados, pues las fuentes y los testimonios no se originan en investigadores o expertos del clima. Sin embargo, la información relevante para los raizales está centrada en los pronósticos que sí tienen como fuente la agencia estatal y que acompañan los reportes de desastres o eventos extremos.…”

Drivers of Forest Loss in a Megadiverse Hotspot on the Pacific Coast of Colombia

“…The climate of this tropical rain forest has a short or absent dry season [19] where 55% of the study area has precipitation values of over 5000 mm/year [20]. Under these conditions, the main continental ecosystems are "terra firme" forests as well as coastal vegetation forming mangroves [21,22], coastal marsh ecosystems [23], and wetland forests [4]. There are also transformed areas, including large extensions of industrial plantations to the north and to the south of the study area, as well as other land uses including cattle grazing, growing coca crops, commercial logging and alluvial gold mining.…”