The environment is changing, biodomes are declining, and there is a rise in the level of pollutants. Climate change has become a critical issue in the world. The online survey app, Real Research, revealed that 88.48% of the respondents were aware of climate change and 11.52% were not.

Highlights:

  • 77.08% of respondents said in the future they would listen to the advice shared by the media
  • 62.16% of the respondents think media companies need to report more about climate change
  • The severity of climate change is over-exaggerated by the media, according to 53.90% of the respondents.

Is Climate Change Exaggerated By the Media?

Experts argued that it is important for the media to provide daily updates and coverage on climate change. 74.92% of respondents agree that the media needs to keep the public informed about climate change, and 25.08% do not agree.

In addition, although experts have given scientific explanations for why climate change could be disastrous, some people on social media claim that its severity is exaggerated. 53.90% agree that the severity of climate change is over-exaggerated and 46.10% do not think so.

Respondents answers on whether climate change is over-exaggerated
Figure 1: Respondents answers on whether climate change is over-exaggerated

Media Is Overhyping Climate Change

Some people claim that the media is overhyping climate change, and others believe it is not being reported enough. 62.16% of the respondents think media companies need to report more about climate change, and 37.84% say media companies are over-hyping climate change.

Respondents-beliefs-about-the-media-and-climate-change
Figure 2: Respondents beliefs about the media and climate change

What Could Be the Reason Behind Climate Change

People have different opinions about climate change and its possible causes. Our survey shows that greenhouse emissions (13.47%), alteration caused on land (11.77%), waste management (11.15%), and deforestation (9.04%) are the causes of climate change.

Other respondents believe industrial activities (8.99%), fossil fuel consumption (8.96%), others (7.91%), and urbanization (7.81%) are the main causes of climate change. Moreover, 7.76% and 7.43% believe climate change is caused by misuse of resources and population growth, respectively. 5.71% of the respondents believe overconsumption is the cause of climate change.

Respondents-answers-on-the-cause-of-climate-change
Figure 3: Respondents answers on the cause of climate change

Media Companies and Climate Change

Apart from sharing factual information, media companies sometimes advise their users to take action regarding the climate change issue. 77.08% of respondents said they would listen to the advice shared by the media in the future, and 22.92% said they wouldn’t. 

Methodology

Survey TitleIs Climate Change Exaggerated By The Media?
DurationMarch 11 – March 18, 2024
Number of Participants5,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia,… Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.