Visualizing climate change: the role of construal level, emotional valence, and visual literacy

This study examines how the level of concreteness and abstraction climate change imagery influences people’s responses via emotional valence, such effect is moderated by visual literacy. Findings show that concrete images promote negative feelings, which subsequently reduce perceived distance to change, encourage concern behavioral intention. Less visually literate people are more influenced visuals’ motivated images. Our integrates theoretical perspectives from construal level, literacy, while also offering practical advice regarding effectively visualize engage a wide audience.