2022 CLIMATE SOLUTIONS NARRATIVE TRENDS

In 2022, the research team at Conspire for Good analyzed 7,250 news and opinion articles and 3,900 top-engagement social media posts focused on climate solutions. Our analysis spanned three issue areas related to climate solutions: renewable energy, water and food systems.

The media narrative about the solutions humanity is pursuing—to ensure we have sustainable food, water, and energy—is important. This narrative not only keeps us informed about what’s happening; it also shapes our understanding of the need for these solutions and what we believe is possible moving forward. This in turn influences decision makers at every level of government and industry, as well as individual consumers. 

Top Findings & Key Messages from this year’s report include:

• Continuing the trend from 2021, of articles that quoted or referenced a person, a majority of them quoted a woman. 
• Coverage trends across verticals show the federal government has taken action on climate change and climate solutions, but also that states, communities, and advocates are calling for more and better effort and investment.
• As in 2021, articles in our 2022 sample that mentioned communities of color were more likely to focus on solutions than articles that contained no mention of communities of color. In 2022 articles that referenced communities of color, 52% included solutions, compared with 46% in solutions-focused articles that did not mention communities of color.
• Articles referencing issues of equity or justice fell in 2022 to 27% for renewable energy coverage.
• Coverage of electric vehicles and charging station infrastructure was significant, appearing in just under 10% of all renewable energy coverage. This compares with public transportation which was mentioned in less than 2% of articles.
• 40% of articles concerning contaminated water contained references to equity and justice or communities of color—a damning statistic.

Movement and local communities were positioned as leading on food system issues, even more than the federal government.

For more information, please contact Thelma, thelma@thesolutionsproject.org.