Engaging the dismissive: An assessment of humor-based strategies to support global warming action

Public Underst Sci. 2024 Feb;33(2):227-240. doi: 10.1177/09636625231186785. Epub 2023 Aug 12.

Abstract

This study aims to understand the influence of mirth, anger, and hope, as elicited by messages with different humor types, on support for global warming action, and the potential moderating role of individual climate concern. Although mirth did not significantly vary across the different stimuli, the analysis found that climate concern moderated the influence of hope on support for global warming actions. The implications of these findings, especially for respondents who were least supportive of actions to combat global warming, are discussed.

Keywords: climate change; emotion; global warming; mirth; science humor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Climate
  • Climate Change*
  • Global Warming*