Research on Information Channel of Climate Change Risk Perception of Shaanxi People

Abstract

In the context of global climate change, major natural disasters happen frequently, and risks of climate change has further increased. The public are not only the most extensive and direct disaster bearers of climate change risk events, but also the most specific executors of disaster prevention and mitigation policies [1,2]. People’s ability to perceive climate change risks greatly influences their response ability. In other words, perception determines action [3]. An in-depth study of public climate change risk perception is an effective way to improve the public’s ability to cope with climate change risks and reduce their vulnerability [4,5]. It also has certain practical significance for the research on national climate change risk perception and response. As scholars continue to deepen their research on climate change risk perception [6], climate change that attracts worldwide concern has gradually transformed into a scientific topic concerning the public. In this process, due to differences in climate change risk perception and knowledge between scientists and the public, the dissemination of climate change information has become an important platform for communication between scientists and the public, which directly influences whether the public can achieve favorable communication with governments and scientists. The dissemination channels and sources of climate change risk information determine whether people can accurately recognize climate change as a macro-abstract natural phenomenon, thereby influencing their attitudes and behaviors toward climate change risks. Smith [7] held that media culture, technology and practice create the opportunity to enhance public’s understanding and identification of climate change risks. Studies, such as by Maria Carmen Lemos, indicated that there is a gap between useful information understood by scientists and useful information recognized by users [8]. Hmielowski [9] also found through several studies that trust in scientists influences the use of news media, which in turn influences the understanding of global warming. Lack of information was repeatedly identified by Archie [10], among others, as an obstacle to climate change adaptation planning and implementation. Lynch [11], among others, suggested that the multiple utilization of communication tools will facilitate climate change science, as well as mitigation and adaptation policy formulation. Carmichael and Brulle [12] using structural equation models showed that although media reports play an important role, they are largely the result of elite suggestion and economic factors [12]. Julia et al. [13] noted that similar to six inter-American studies of global warming, different attitudes (the five Germanys of global warming) result in differences in understanding climate change, media use, and communication behavior. John Wiley & Sons believed that key aspects of the communication process (including the purpose and scope of communication, the audience, the framework, the message, the messenger, the means and channels of communication, as well as the evaluation of the results and effectiveness of communication) influence climate change risk communication [14]. Moser and Dilling [15] found in their study that the lack of information and understanding explains the lack of public participation, so more information and explanations are needed to A RT I C L E I N F O