Public Understanding of Climate Change

How can the IPCC best convince the public that their views on global warming are right? David Shukman from BBC News asked the co-Chairs of the IPCC's Working Group II in April 2007. The answers are intriguing, although I don't agree with the conclusions entirely.

Martin Parry believes the IPCC's statements are probably understated, and that the public is actually ahead of the science. The public and the press may be too far ahead of the science, ready to take action when we don't yet know what actions should be taken. Osvaldo Canziani gives a few examples of global warming that he believes are readily observable: European chesnuts blooming earlier, antarctic penguins are not reproducing, mosquitos are now in Siberia, and something I couldn't catch happening in Patagonia. Mr. Canziani refers to Al Gore's movie as presenting these facts well. Mr. Parry steps in again after pondering the question further, and tells the reporter himself is part of the answer, as part of "an experienced corps of science correspondents and environment correspondents". The key is "communication through knowledgeable media to the public that is making the difference now."

If the IPCC understates the science, as Mr. Parry indicates, then that watered down info gets filtered through traditional media, then the part of the public with access to TV, radio, and newspapers might get a pale shadow of the real information, we're not doing a very good job communicating. Making sure that traditional media correspondents are educated in science and environmental issues is a good thing, to be sure, but there are more sticking points in approaching this complex public education problem. And there's more to worry about, with yet another news report just today reinforcing Mr. Parry's message that the IPCC underestimates the science.

What message can the IPCC send out now? People should conserve and learn as much as they can, while encouraging governments around the world to put this issue high on their agendas.



Watch the presentation on YouTube (starting at the 2:50 mark, untill 6:00)

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