Work

Adapt and overcome: The impact of adaptive frames in news stories on climate change skeptics and acceptors

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This experiment test the effects of framing of climate change and finds that news stories that do not discuss the man-made cause of climate change, and do not use trigger words such as “global warming” and “climate change” are significantly better at overcoming climate skeptics’ resistance to them, leading them to agree with the story’s perspective and feel optimistic about a community’s efforts to deal with climate impacts. This process is mediated by increased perceived credibility of the story and journalists.

Source: Journalism

DOI: 10.1177/14648849251320800

Authors: Esther Thorson, Renita Coleman, Samuel M Tham, Weiyue Chen, Adam Glenn

Institutions: Michigan State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Colorado State University, Butler University, Freedom of the Press Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Communication and Perception

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900