Clarity and communications in climate change
Article by Amanda Hanna | Matheson Society newsletter
When navigating the torrential waters of climate change media paraphernalia, the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub (MCCCRH) is here to help.
Born from his research on the interrelation between media, science communication and climate change, Associate Professor David Holmes founded the MCCCRH with the purpose of making climate change research easier to understand, and more accessible to the masses.
The Hub deep dives into climate communication possibilities through a range of exciting and innovative projects. Their flagship program, ‘Climate Communicators’, produces simple, long-term climate graphics delivered by Australian TV weather presenters for the public. Research shows that weather presenters are highly trusted climate messengers, and TV remains the single largest source of news and weather for Australians. Thousands of people are reached daily, including many who are uncertain, doubtful, or dismissive about climate change.
The MCCCRH also shares climate change information through media stories, lesson plans, explainer videos, surveys, documentaries, climate sound tracks, and even climate change fiction and poetry.
Research is at the forefront of the Hub’s activities, and centres around keeping Australians up-to-date with climate change initiatives.
The Hub regularly releases reports on a range of topics surrounding public perceptions and media portrayals of climate change, as well as the latest in climate science research.
Monash’s Impact 2030 strategic plan names climate change as one of the top three challenges of our age, and the MCCCRH tackles the responsibility of building climate literacy in Australia head-on, for all Australians.
