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Public response to solar geoengineering: how media frames about stratospheric aerosol injection affect opinions

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Listed:
  • Toby Bolsen

    (Georgia State University)

  • Risa Palm

    (Georgia State University)

  • Russell E. Luke

    (Georgia State University)

Abstract

Global air temperatures continue to rise despite efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Supplementary technological interventions may become necessary to avoid harmful consequences resulting from unabated temperature increases. One such intervention involves the artificial reduction of incoming solar radiation through the release of reflective particles into the stratosphere: stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI). The American public is generally unfamiliar with SAI, despite increasing media coverage. We conducted a content analysis of frames in US news focused on SAI between 2014 and 2022 to identify and catalogue the most prominent dimensions that are employed in news coverage. We then use these dimensions to design a two-wave survey experiment evaluating how combinations of positive and negative frames that appear in recent journalistic accounts affect the American public’s beliefs about SAI and support for research. The results demonstrate how exposure to framed communications can exert a powerful and durable impact on the public’s beliefs and general support for SAI.

Suggested Citation

  • Toby Bolsen & Risa Palm & Russell E. Luke, 2023. "Public response to solar geoengineering: how media frames about stratospheric aerosol injection affect opinions," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(8), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:176:y:2023:i:8:d:10.1007_s10584-023-03575-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-023-03575-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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