Strategic Messaging for the Planet

Getting people to change their minds is never easy, particularly when it comes to politically charged issues like climate change.  

At Michigan State University, researchers in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences are studying how attitudes and associated experiences can shape the policies, programs and behaviors that may mitigate climate change, as well as practices that promote or stand in the way of solutions.  

Collaborative research spans the college’s five departments, supported by ComArtSci’s Health and Risk Communication Center — and draws on expertise from MSU’s immense range of disciplines. In line with the university’s broader engagement mission, ComArtSci scholars frequently interact with national and global institutions as the scientific community seeks to share their insights around the issue of climate change with an overall goal of helping promote the greater good. 

This article highlights research of five scholars within ComArtSci and the HRCC in the area of climate change communication.

Bruno Takahashi: Making it Real

For Bruno Takahashi, successful climate change communication is all about making messages relevant and actionable for the audience.  

“If you want to have a serious conversation about the fate of the planet, we can’t cover it as breaking news,” said Takahashi, an associate professor of environmental journalism and communication. “Rather than simply saying we have a problem, journalists should also look at how we got here, and at solutions.” 

Read full story at MSU Today.