New book explores ‘visual life of climate change’

A new book suggests that the pictures we use to tell stories about climate change fundamentally shape how we respond to the issue.

The Visual Life of Climate Change, by Professor Saffron O’Neill from the University of Exeter, says we often rely on a small set of images to illustrate climate change – and these exclude many people and places from the discussion about climate action.

Every day, journalists and editors around the world grapple with how to illustrate climate news in ways which bring the topic alive but are still true to the message of their story.

Previously, researchers have focussed on how the text of climate stories shapes how we think, feel or act – but mostly ignored the impact of images. In her new book, Professor O’Neill shows that understanding the role of images is critical.

“Imagine a foreboding photograph of factory smokestacks pumping out dark clouds of pollution, compared to a photograph of gleaming silver wind turbines in front of an ethereal golden sunset,” Professor O’Neill said.

“Both images tell stories about climate change, but can make people feel completely differently about the issue.

Professor O’Neill wrote this book to make her research accessible to a wider audience. She hopes it will show how images can be powerful tools to engage people with climate change, and can help move us towards climate action.

The book, published by Bristol University Press, explores how different types of climate images – from photographs to memes – are produced, shared, riffed on and repeated across public life.

Images from stories about climate adaptation, climate impacts, climate and energy, climate science and climate politics are discussed.

The book argues that we need to make climate visuals more representative, equitable and just. Ultimately, it argues that we should look more critically at climate images; and at how they reflect and shape the world around us.

Former BBC News Science Editor David Shukman commented: “This is essential reading for journalists, activists, scientists, communications people – in fact everyone involved in trying to raise awareness of climate change and drive progress towards solutions. All too often the potential power of imagery is forgotten or taken for granted. This book explains why that needs to change and what a difference it would make to have pictures at heart of all we do.”

The book will be published today (8 December), priced at £24.99. It is also available Open Access through the Bristol University Press website.