Evolution of the Knowledge Mapping of Climate Change Communication Research: Basic Status, Research Hotspots, and...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Communication
• Social Sciences
• Information Science

Background:

• Climate change communication is vital for addressing global climate challenges.
• Understanding research progress through knowledge mapping is essential.
• Existing literature provides a foundation for analyzing the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a knowledge mapping analysis of climate change communication research.
• To clarify the basic status, research hotspots, and future prospects of the field.
• To compare the development of research in China and internationally.

Main Methods:

• A bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace software.
• Collection and analysis of 428 domestic and international literature pieces.
• Keyword co-occurrence analysis to identify research hotspots.

Main Results:

• International research on climate change communication began around 2000, with a peak in 2015.
• Chinese research started later (2009) and shows room for growth compared to global trends.
• Public perceptions of climate change are significantly shaped by political ideology and identity protection.

Conclusions:

• Climate change communication research encompasses various aspects, including public perception, influencing factors, communication processes, media roles, and strategies.
• Political ideology plays a key role in shaping public views on climate change.
• Future research should explore diverse methods, contexts, and paradigms to advance the field.