WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE A LOOK:
The polar bear on the melting iceberg has long been the ubiquitous image of climate change. Climate Outreach believes that climate change imagery can and should be more diverse and they’ve developed 7 principles for visual climate change communication in the new Climate Visuals report.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1. Show “real people” – not staged photo-ops
Use authentic images rather than stock photography, which can appear gimicky or manipulative.
2. Tell New Stories
“Classic” climate images like smokestacks and polar bears often prompt cynical reactions. Less familar images can help tell a new narrative about climate change.
3. Show Climate Causes at Scale
Since climate change is such a complex issue, make sure the action being depicted is on proper scale with the problem.
4. Climate impacts are emotionally powerful
Pair images of climate impacts with concrete actions to help people from becoming overwhelmed.
5. Show local (but serious) climate impacts
Strike a balance between making the issue personal and conveying the significant scale of the issue.
6. Be very careful with protest images
Images of climate marches can prompt negative reactions as many people don’t identify with activists.
7. Understand you Audience
While reactions to images are influenced by ideology, photos of solutions were met positively across the political spectrum.
