2023/10/25 by Jonas Geschke, Matthias C. Rillig, Katrin Böhning‐Gaese +10 · 2 voices · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Animal and Plant Science Education #Climate Change Communication and Perception #Species Distribution and Climate Change
paper · doi:10.1371/journal.pstr.0000083
openalex publication_date 2023/10/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Biodiversity is the manifestation of life on our planet and provides manifold benefits for humans. Yet we destroy ecosystems and drive species to extinction. We submit that anthropogenic biodiversity loss does not yet receive sufficient public attention, although biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use are key to mitigate global crises. Effective communication of biodiversity-related knowledge with diverse audiences is therefore crucial and should contribute to ensuring that evidence guides environmental decision-making. In this context, it is essential to stimulate multi-directional dialogues between science, policy, and society. Here, we suggest Dos and Don’ts that can guide science communication for scientists working in biodiversity research and beyond. Moreover, we emphasize the role of science journalism and other institutions specialized in science communication in critically mediating the complexity of scientific knowledge.