The study reveals a surprising challenge for climate risk communication: while maps of projected sea-level rise (SLR) are often used to raise awareness, they may not effectively increase personal concern among coastal residents. Instead, these visual aids may unintentionally reduce perceived personal risk, even for those whose properties are directly threatened by future flooding.
When shown maps indicating that their homes could be permanently flooded by 2100, residents tended to view SLR as a broader societal issue, less likely to impact them personally. This detachment underscores a common psychological barrier in risk perception, where people perceive climate threats as more abstract or distant from their immediate lives.
Interestingly, the study found that emphasizing infrastructure impacts, such as traffic delays caused by SLR, was more effective in raising concern. Residents who received information about potential commute disruptions felt more affected by SLR both personally and collectively, which in turn boosted their support for adaptation policies like building flood controls.
This insight suggests that people may respond more strongly to risks when the impacts are presented in terms of daily, relatable inconveniences rather than abstract future dangers.
The research highlights the importance of carefully designed climate communication strategies. Maps and visuals should be supplemented with context that makes the risks feel immediate and relevant to daily life. For policymakers, emphasizing how SLR could affect infrastructure and daily routines, rather than focusing solely on the future flooding of specific properties, may be a more effective way to encourage meaningful engagement with climate adaptation initiatives.
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Reference: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/sea-level-rise-maps-can-decrease-risk-perceptions-coastal-communities
