Signs we need to improve the amount (and quality) of science coverage in media:
- In a March 2011 survey, two-thirds of Americans couldn’t name a single living scientist
- From 2007-2010, science/technology/environmental topics accounted for only 3% of all news stories (and only 2% in 2011).
- Though 87% of scientists support the idea, only 32% of the U.S. public believes in natural selection playing a role in evolution
- While 97% of scientists agree, only 41% of the U.S. public believes that climate change is caused by human activities.
Louise Lief, on why this matters:
If people do not know scientists or understand how they work, it follows that they are unlikely to make informed choices on public policy issues or support basic scientific research to address vital issues like climate change and conservation.
More about Louise’s project to improve science in journalism here.