Does tomorrow ever come? Disaster narrative and public perceptions of climate change

Thomas Lowe (1, 2) , Katrina Brown (2) , Suraje Dessai (3) , Miguel de França Doria (2) , Kat Haynes , Katharine Vincent (2, 1)

1 School of Environmental Sciences [Norwich]
2 Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
3 UEA - University of East Anglia [Norwich]

The film depicts the abrupt and catastrophic transformation of the Earth's climate into a new ice age, playing upon the uncertainty surrounding a possible North Atlantic thermohaline circulation (Gulf Stream) shutdown. This paper investigates the impact of the film on people's perception of climate change through a survey of filmgoers in the UK. Analysis focuses on four issues: the of extreme impacts; over climate change versus other global problems; to take action; and for the problem of climate change. It finds that seeing the film, at least in the short term, changed people's attitudes; viewers were significantly more concerned about climate change, and about other environmental risks. However, while the film increased anxiety about environmental risks, viewers experienced difficulty in distinguishing science fact from dramatized science fiction. Their belief in the likelihood of extreme events as a result of climate change was actually reduced. Following the film, many viewers expressed strong motivation to act on climate change. However, although the film may have sensitized viewers and motivated them to act, the public do not have information on what action they can take to mitigate climate change.

Mots clés: Social Sciences & Humanities

Domaines: Planète et Univers [physics]

Thomas Lowe, Katrina Brown, Suraje Dessai, Miguel de França Doria, Kat Haynes, et al.. Does tomorrow ever come? Disaster narrative and public perceptions of climate change. Public Understanding of Science, 2006, 15 (4), pp.435-457. ⟨10.1177/0963662506063796⟩. ⟨hal-00571094⟩