Broadcasting climate change: an international survey on weather communicators’ approaches

Abstract

This study explores the role of television meteorologists as key communicators of climate change within a global context. Utilizing a survey of 204 participants from 81 countries, it examines their perspectives, strategies, and challenges in addressing climate issues. Despite their brevity, the responses – primarily from experienced professionals in meteorology and media – emphasized the significant communicative potential of television weather segments. Most participants reported strong climate knowledge, significant concern about its impacts, and reliance on trusted scientific sources like IPCC reports. Key barriers to effective communication included the complexity of climate science, misinformation, and limited public understanding. However, respondents identified strategies for improvement, such as tailored messaging, engaging visuals, and leveraging social media to reach younger audiences. Television emerged as the most impactful medium for raising awareness, complemented by print and digital platforms. The findings underscore the need for a global communication strategy emphasizing clear, actionable, and solutions-oriented messaging. By integrating international initiatives with context-specific strategies, television meteorologists can serve as key intermediaries between scientific knowledge and public engagement. This research highlights the importance of fostering informed societies, enacting national regulations, and advancing international agreements to drive collective action against climate change.