--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is good evidence that the…" description: "\"There is good evidence that the catastrophist framing of climate change is self-defeating because it alienates and polarizes many people. And exaggerat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/michael-shellenberger-7859_change_there-is-good-evidence-that-the-catastro_341632.jpg" --- # There is good evidence that the catastrophist framing of… ![“There is good evidence that the catastrophist framing of climate change is self-defeating because it alienates and polarizes many people. And exaggerating climate change risks distracting us from other important issues including ones we might have more near-term control over.” quote by Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/michael-shellenberger-7859_change_there-is-good-evidence-that-the-catastro_341632.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/michael-shellenberger-7859_change_there-is-good-evidence-that-the-catastro_341632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/michael-shellenberger-7859_change_there-is-good-evidence-that-the-catastro_341632.jpg) > “There is good evidence that the catastrophist framing of climate change is self-defeating because it alienates and polarizes many people. And exaggerating climate change risks distracting us from other important issues including ones we might have more near-term control over.” [Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shellenberger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlighting catastrophic narratives can push people away, reducing collective action on climate issues and diverting attention from manageable problems. **In simple terms:** Fearful warnings can backfire and distract from solvable challenges. Key Takeaway Use balanced communication to engage rather than alienate. Themes climate change communication psychology policy public engagement Mood concerned analytical Type informative persuasive When to use this quote - environmental advocacy - public policy debates - community workshops - media interviews Key Concepts catastrophism risk perception behavioral economics media framing Questions to Reflect On - How can we frame climate urgency without alienating audiences? - What alternative issues deserve immediate attention? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on doom can cause fatigue and denial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alienates Polarizes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alienates-polarizes-3174874/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Climate change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate-change/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Exaggerating Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exaggerating-climate-3174873/) [Framing Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/framing-climate-3174872/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Polarizes People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polarizes-people-2232415/) [Risks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risks/) ## Related quotes > [I don't care, really, whether the movie polarizes people, Republican, Democrat...I don't think it should. 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We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) ## More by Michael Shellenberger > [I remained quiet about the climate disinformation campaign because I was afraid of losing friends and funding. The few times I summoned the courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shellenberger/i-remained-quiet-about-the-climate-disinformation-campaign-because-i/) [Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shellenberger/) > [Nations are reorienting toward the national interest and away from Malthusianism and neoliberalism, which is good for nuclear and bad for renewables. 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