Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change Solution

Urban trees and forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change by enhancing ecological and social resilience in cities. Despite their importance, public understanding of their benefits for combating climate change and the role of the media in shaping these perceptions remains underexplore...

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Main Authors: Rahim Maleknia, Reza Azizi, Mohammad Reza Pakravan Chavardeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shahid Beheshti University 2025-01-01
Series:Sustainable Earth Trends
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104960_1773fc2d8b45defef1cb9355beee43fb.pdf
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author Rahim Maleknia
Reza Azizi
Mohammad Reza Pakravan Chavardeh
author_facet Rahim Maleknia
Reza Azizi
Mohammad Reza Pakravan Chavardeh
author_sort Rahim Maleknia
collection DOAJ
description Urban trees and forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change by enhancing ecological and social resilience in cities. Despite their importance, public understanding of their benefits for combating climate change and the role of the media in shaping these perceptions remains underexplored. This study addressed this research gap by examining how different media platforms influence citizens' perceptions of urban forests' contributions to climate change mitigation. Using cultivation theory as a framework, the study aimed to assess the impact of various media channels, including social media, television, print media, and blogs, on public perceptions. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected through a structured online survey administered to 410 urban residents. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships between media exposure and citizens' perceptions. The findings reveal that social media and television are the most influential in shaping public perceptions, while traditional media forms such as print and blogs show no significant impact. Social media, in particular, emerged as the most effective platform, likely due to its interactive and immediate nature, while television remains relevant due to its visual appeal and broad reach. These results have important implications for environmental communication strategies, suggesting that policymakers should prioritize social media and television campaigns to effectively engage citizens and promote urban forest conservation. By understanding and leveraging these influential platforms, authorities can enhance public perceptions and support for sustainable urban development and climate resilience initiatives.
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spelling doaj-art-b9c10dc633e44816a5a6b9af9d52f2ad2024-12-16T12:50:06ZengShahid Beheshti UniversitySustainable Earth Trends3060-62252025-01-0151233410.48308/set.2024.237176.1074104960Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change SolutionRahim Maleknia0Reza Azizi1Mohammad Reza Pakravan Chavardeh2Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, IranDepartment of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, IranDepartment of Agricultural Education and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, IranUrban trees and forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change by enhancing ecological and social resilience in cities. Despite their importance, public understanding of their benefits for combating climate change and the role of the media in shaping these perceptions remains underexplored. This study addressed this research gap by examining how different media platforms influence citizens' perceptions of urban forests' contributions to climate change mitigation. Using cultivation theory as a framework, the study aimed to assess the impact of various media channels, including social media, television, print media, and blogs, on public perceptions. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected through a structured online survey administered to 410 urban residents. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships between media exposure and citizens' perceptions. The findings reveal that social media and television are the most influential in shaping public perceptions, while traditional media forms such as print and blogs show no significant impact. Social media, in particular, emerged as the most effective platform, likely due to its interactive and immediate nature, while television remains relevant due to its visual appeal and broad reach. These results have important implications for environmental communication strategies, suggesting that policymakers should prioritize social media and television campaigns to effectively engage citizens and promote urban forest conservation. By understanding and leveraging these influential platforms, authorities can enhance public perceptions and support for sustainable urban development and climate resilience initiatives.https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104960_1773fc2d8b45defef1cb9355beee43fb.pdfclimate change mitigationmedia influencenature-based solutionspublic perception
spellingShingle Rahim Maleknia
Reza Azizi
Mohammad Reza Pakravan Chavardeh
Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change Solution
Sustainable Earth Trends
climate change mitigation
media influence
nature-based solutions
public perception
title Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change Solution
title_full Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change Solution
title_fullStr Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change Solution
title_full_unstemmed Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change Solution
title_short Using Cultivation Theory to Analyze the Impact of Different Media on Public Perception of Urban Forests as Climate Change Solution
title_sort using cultivation theory to analyze the impact of different media on public perception of urban forests as climate change solution
topic climate change mitigation
media influence
nature-based solutions
public perception
url https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104960_1773fc2d8b45defef1cb9355beee43fb.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT rahimmaleknia usingcultivationtheorytoanalyzetheimpactofdifferentmediaonpublicperceptionofurbanforestsasclimatechangesolution
AT rezaazizi usingcultivationtheorytoanalyzetheimpactofdifferentmediaonpublicperceptionofurbanforestsasclimatechangesolution
AT mohammadrezapakravanchavardeh usingcultivationtheorytoanalyzetheimpactofdifferentmediaonpublicperceptionofurbanforestsasclimatechangesolution