Climate change will affect the lives of everyone and the most effective way to be fighting against climate change requires what, in political science, we call public buy-in, that the public is on board with the issue.
About Federica Genovese
"I am a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Oxford. I specialize in studying the politics of crisis and specifically climate change. I am a 2011 Philip Leverhulme Prize Winner.
My research focuses on international and comparative political economy, with particular attention to climate politics and policy, globalisation, redistribution and the politics of crises in Europe, but not exclusively."
Key Points
• Climate action can only succeed if ordinary citizens feel included and see a role for themselves, because the transition rewires whole economies.
• Once climate change became a mainstream political issue, leaders began exploiting its costs to rally supporters, deepening partisan divides.
• Most voters are worried about climate change but will back ambitious policies only when they see tangible compensation and fair burden-sharing.
• Clear, hopeful storytelling, especially by the media, helps counter misinformation and keeps public attention on the opportunities of the energy transition.
