Using Expert and Non-expert Models of Climate Change to Enhance Communication

Abstract

Climate change is a significant global risk that is predicted to be particularly devastating to coastal communities. Climate change adaptation and mitigation have been hindered by many factors, including psychological barriers, ineffective outreach and communication, and knowledge gaps. This qualitative study compares an expert model of climate change risks to county administrators' “mental” models of climate change and related coastal environmental hazards in Crystal River, Florida, USA. There were 24 common nodes in the expert and the combined non-expert models, mainly related to hurricanes, property damage, and economic concerns. Seven nodes mentioned by non-experts fit within, but were not a part of, the expert model, primarily related to ecological concerns about water quality. The findings suggest that effective climate outreach and communication could focus on compatible parts of the models and incorporate local concerns to find less controversial ways to discuss climate-related hazards.

Keywords:

• climate change
• mental models
• climate communication
• coastal environmental hazards
• qualitative research

Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by Oregon Sea Grant. The authors would like to acknowledge T. Ruppert, M. Spranger, and D. Brees for their help with the research.