Media Coverage and Public Perception of Climate Change

The mainstream media has significantly increased its coverage of climate change, with outlets like The New York Times, NPR, and The Washington Post dedicating substantial resources to reporting on climate-related issues. The New York Times alone published 4,000 articles related to climate change in a year, indicating a strong focus on the topic. Despite the extensive media coverage and information provided by various cultural institutions, including Hollywood, universities, and UN reports, public engagement and voting behavior related to climate change do not seem to align with the level of media attention. While some individuals express concern about climate change in polls, this might be influenced by social desirability bias, similar to responses on issues like racism, suggesting that the actual level of public concern and engagement with climate change may not be accurately reflected in survey responses.