Climate Change Communication in New Zealand

Abstract

Climate change communication in Aotearoa New Zealand occurs through multiple channels, including public communication by experts; formal and informal science-policy dialogues; and publication of popular books, documentaries, and media reports. There is, in addition, a wide array of climate change communication activities that are less well documented, such as those that utilize the education system, social media, art, community events and festivals, and co-production processes related to adaptation and mitigation choices. Although research into the communication of climate change is in its infancy in the country, data on public attitudes toward climate change over the past decade indicate that most New Zealanders believe climate change is occurring, is anthropogenic, and is a serious concern. This is mirrored by research into media coverage on climate change, which shows that mainstream news reports are largely consistent with the scientific consensus and reports issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and do not give much coverage to skeptical or catastrophic viewpoints.

Bridging the gap between science communication practice and theory: Reflecting on a decade of practitioner experience using polar outreach case studies to develop a new framework for public engagement design

“…This four-week ship-based expedition to New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands and Antarctica included "forty everyday New Zealanders" and six experts in Antarctic science. This expedition focused specifically on raising awareness about climate change, conservation, and commercial interests in the area, such as fishing, tourism and mining (Salmon, Priestley, Fontana, & Milfont, 2017).…”

“…Four books were also published: a photography book, a science book, an adventure book, and a children's book, as well as an award-winning documentary film. The expedition and associated outreach are estimated to have engaged more than 10,000 school students, catalysed dialogue events reaching at least 3500 individuals, and instigated media articles that reached more than 200,000 people (Salmon, Priestley, Fontana, & Milfont, 2017).…”

“…Objectives New Zealand IceFest 2012 was a four-week public festival aimed at "bringing Antarctica to Christchurch". The event occurred a year after major earthquakes had devastated the region, and was explicitly funded to encourage residents to return to the city centre and have fun (Salmon, 2013b;Salmon, Priestley, Fontana, & Milfont, 2017).…”

“…science cafes, panel discussions, public lectures and seminars). There were also a wide range of drop-in weekend activities for visitors to engage with, including hands-on educational activities for children, augmented-reality journeys across Antarctica using tablet technology, an Antarctic field camp and live video-links to Antarctica (Salmon, 2013b;Salmon, Priestley, Fontana, & Milfont, 2017).…”

“…By 2018, at the time of writing, Salmon was a senior lecturer and co-founder of the Centre for Science in Society at Victoria University of Wellington, which offers both an undergraduate Minor and a Master's programme in Science in Society. She had published articles about public engagement (Salmon, 2013a;Salmon & Priestley, 2015;Salmon, Priestley, Fontana, & Milfont, 2017;Salmon, Priestley, & Goven, 2017) and established the Engagement Programme (one of five programmes) in a $24M national cross-institutional research effort related to modelling, impacts and implications of climate change for New Zealand (Salmon, 2017). She had been working professionally in EOC practice, teaching or engagement research since 2006.…”