Climatic Change http://doi.org/s6z (2014)

Descriptions of new technologies, including geoengineering, can influence the way the public perceive them. Previous studies have analysed geoengineering reporting in news articles, but little experimental investigation about the effect of different frames on public views has been carried out so far.

Adam Corner and Nick Pidgeon of Cardiff University, UK, have filled this gap with an online experiment, using 412 UK participants recruited during early 2013. Participants read a different description of geoengineering. In the experimental condition, the description was 'framed' using an analogy to natural processes (for example the release of millions of small particles that reflect sunlight into the highest part of the atmosphere was compared with the cooling effect of a volcanic eruption). In a control condition a more standard description was used. The results show that participants in the experimental condition were more likely to support geoengineering as a solution to climate change.

The researchers advise using caution when communicating geoengineering with natural analogies as it can lead to an unjustified favourable perception about the technologies.