Why climate-driven droughts and floods rarely become international news
Three factors—spectacular images, a high death toll and strong personal ties—make it more likely that the media in one country will report on a natural disaster in another, according to a study by the University of Bonn, the University of Warwick and Imperial College London, which has been published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.
A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour reveals why climate-driven droughts and floods rarely capture international media attention. Three key factors influence cross-border disaster coverage: spectacular visuals, high death tolls, and social connections. The researchers from the University of Bonn, University of Warwick, and Imperial College London analyzed over 2,600 natural disasters since 2016 using data from the Europe Media Monitor.
Their findings show that media are more likely to report on sudden catastrophes with striking images, such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, compared to droughts and floods. Additionally, the more lives a disaster claims, the higher the chances of international coverage. The third significant factor is the presence of strong personal ties between countries, which is more crucial than geographic proximity or language similarities.
The study also highlights that droughts and floods receive comparatively less cross-border coverage, potentially contributing to a lack of awareness about climate-related impacts.
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