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Polygence Scholar2022
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Syed Rizvi

high_schoolClass of 2024Jamaica, New York

About

Hello! My name is Syed Rizvi and my Polygence project is on the effects of media on the climate crisis. I chose to work on this project because my home country of Pakistan had experienced intense flooding which displaced millions of people and I wanted to use this opportunity to shed light on the disastrous impacts of climate change. Now that my project is complete, I would hope to publish my writing, and publicly display my recorded podcast.

Projects

  • "How does the media shape the public opinion on climate change and its effects" with mentor Francesca (Nov. 8, 2022)

Project Portfolio

How does the media shape the public opinion on climate change and its effects

Started July 13, 2022

Abstract or project description

The health of our atmosphere has displayed a steady decline following the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s. Since then, several new innovations, including but not limited to transportation, factories, cellular devices, and plastic have been major factors in the continuation of this trend. Consequently, much of the planet has experienced harsh, life threatening natural disasters, ranging from wildfires to heavy floods which has acted as evidence of the impact of this global disaster. However, those who are not impacted by such events are not aware that such incidences are occurring, and it is due to the actions of humans. Therefore, by examining the data from governmental organizations such as the EPA and the UN, as well as reports from major news outlets, it is evident that the complexity and scientific nature of the climate crisis makes it inaccessible to much of the public. Many are in search for research which utilizes broader aspects of the climate crisis, which are broader than science; these aspects include the media, government, and the public themselves. Hence, this paper devotes its attention to the portrayal of the climate crisis by the media, such as who is responsible, why one or two degrees matters, and how the public can help to mitigate the impacts. This paper aims to define climate change, its effects, and the role of media in the improvement or deterioration of this crisis; it further develops a connection with the public, allowing for the realization that climate change is not just the concern of large corporations, but the people as well.