ABSTRACT
As members of the public increasingly rely on social media for news and weather information, scientists have opportunities to engage on complex issues like climate change. However, scientists often are reluctant to engage in climate change online, despite research supporting that they can advocate for action without reducing their credibility. This reluctance may stem from an expectation that science speaks for itself without a need to speak out about the social implications of their work. Over the past 30 years, researchers have documented the important role media can play in climate change conversations and action. Yet, a meta-analysis found that most of this research has examined print media. In this chapter, we synthesize the emerging research on social media and climate change. We conclude with recommendations about how scientists can employ social media to combat climate change, along with recommendations for important knowledge gaps for researchers to fill.
