Disruptive Communication as a Means to Engage Children in Solving Environmental Challenges: A Case Study on Plastic Pollution

Abstract

Environmental degradation and how we care for our planet are some of the greatest challenges the world is up against at this moment. These challenges has received increased focus in both, research and the public sphere. So far, most of this attention revolved around adult’s attitudes and behavior. However, environmental engagement amongst the younger generation gains in popularity. Using plastic pollution as a case, this qualitative study aims to acquire insights into the mental models of children. We collected qualitative data during an innovative, structured workshop according to the “Nature In Your Face” (NIYF) framework. The approach challenges the assumption that the societal change can be achieved gradually, with non-invasive techniques. Instead, we explore the potential of disruption to push citizens out of their comfort zone, thereby making room for co-creation. The disruption was performed by confronting 36 fifth graders from a Norwegian primary school, with disturbing images of plastic contaminating their local shorelines. The data was obtained by using the workshop framework, combined with semi-structured group interviews. The interview data was analyzed by means of thematic analysis. We found that the disruptions triggered emotional reactions like anger and fear. With these emotions as a driving force, the first workshop step was introduced, the Framing of the problem. The next step, Twisting the problem, was reflected in the children developing their own, creative solutions and creatively engaged with them in groups. The last step, Using, was only touched upon in the workshop and is therefore beyond the scope of this paper. Our results indicate that there are three prominent themes reflecting how children discuss plastic pollution. The children talked about their (1) Emotions related to plastic pollution, (2) Attitudes related to plastic, and (3) Perceptions of plastic pollution. These themes were further subdivided into different types of emotions, characteristics of plastic as a material as well as perceptions on different locations of unnecessary plastic. Psychologically, the mechanisms underlying the identified themes were linked to eco-anxiety, denial, self-efficacy, and cognitive dissonance. We conclude that disruptive eco-visualization can create an emotional response amongst children, which can be transformed into co-creation of ideas.

Optimistic narrative future visions: a communication tool for promoting sustainable (plastic) behavior

“…In addition to these general positive effects of narratives, there is specific research supporting the favorable outcomes of the inclusion of optimistic future visions within narrative structures (Richter et al, 2023a). These outcomes encompass an improved understanding of future consequences and perceived behavioral control, heightened empathy toward environmental issues, and ultimately, enhanced motivation and intention to engage in proenvironmental behaviors (De Munnik and Lenzholzer, 2020;Blythe et al, 2021;Richter et al, 2021). Particularly, optimistic future visions are regarded as critical for facilitating sustainable transformations as they serve as sources of aspiration, motivation, and foundations for initiating tangible actions (McPhearson et al, 2016;Richter et al, 2021).…”

“…In this vein, previous research has explored the effects of future vision communication (Richter et al, 2023a). These visions are presented through various media formats, such as infographics (Richter et al, 2021), drawings (Löfström and Klöckner, 2019), animated pictures (De Munnik and Lenzholzer, 2020), and photorealistic visualization (Tress and Tress, 2003), as well as interactive formats like virtual reality or board-and video games (Angel et al, 2015;Vervoort et al, 2015;Blythe et al, 2021). The incorporation of visual media formats within environmental communication stands as a central recommendation (Klöckner, 2015a), aligning with the innate human inclination toward visual content.…”

“…Narratives are thus especially successful when they feature one or more protagonists faced with analogous challenges within comparable environments as the audience. This similarity between the protagonist and the visionaries or audience cultivates a profound sense of affinity and connectivity (Richter et al, 2021), enabling a sense of identification (Pahl and Bauer, 2013). A successful narrative transportation can potentially overshadow existing cognitive frameworks, knowledge, experiences, and opinions (Morris et al, 2019), potentially reducing resistance to the message and facilitating the adoption of intentions and behaviors aligned with the story's protagonist (Green and Brock, 2000; 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1252895 Niederdeppe et al, 2011).…”

“…The incorporation of visual media formats within environmental communication stands as a central recommendation ( Klöckner, 2015a ), aligning with the innate human inclination toward visual content. Visuals possess the capability to captivate our attention, evoke potent emotions surpassing textual information, offer swift cognitive processing, and present a cost-effective implementation ( Löfström et al, 2021 ). In fact, certain scholars contend that visualizations stimulate our motivation by activating pertinent objectives ( Zlatev et al, 2010 ).…”

“…A common explanation for the found disparity between acknowledging environmental issues and translating that recognition into action may potentially stem from a deficiency in emotional engagement ( Roeser, 2012 ; Löfström et al, 2021 ). Emotions significantly impact the decisions we make on a daily basis, thus shaping our behavior ( Rezvani et al, 2017 ).…”