Implications of Scientists’ Perceptions of Climate Change Narratives for Public Engagement

This study explores scientists’ perceptions regarding climate change narratives on social media and investigates how these perceptions can inform policy development, particularly in the context of public engagement and co-production for climate change adaptation. Through a survey of forty climate change scientists, we analyzed the agreement with various climate change-related statements from social media, focusing on the impact of demographic factors such as education, age, and self-perceived expertise. The findings reveal significant differences in agreement with policy and science-based narratives between younger and older scientists, as well as between those with different educational backgrounds. Younger scientists were more likely to question anthropogenic climate change, while older scientists demonstrated higher agreement with science and policy narratives. Additionally, scientists with greater self-reported expertise were more supportive of policies addressing climate change and more critical of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

The research results provide valuable guidance for designing targeted communication strategies that leverage the expertise of the scientific community. The study also highlights the role of scientists in shaping public engagement and co-production in climate change adaptation policies, emphasizing the potential for public-private partnerships to address misinformation and improve public trust in climate science. Our results highlight that effective policy instruments, such as regulations, financial incentives, and data-sharing platforms, can benefit from incorporating scientists’ views on the credibility of climate change narratives, ultimately fostering stronger citizen engagement in climate adaptation efforts.