Climate change is no longer a distant threat; its impacts are being felt worldwide, including in developing countries. The effects are evident in increasingly frequent natural disasters, such as the ongoing floods in Nigeria, which have claimed 185 lives and displaced 208,000 people across 28 of the country’s 36 states, according to a report by the National Emergency Management Agency on August 30, 2024. These floods, exacerbated by human activities like indiscriminate waste disposal and unauthorized construction, are further threatening food security, particularly in the severely affected northern regions.

As a professional who completed the MAPS (Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios) certification in January 2024, I see the MAPS method as a vital component of public communication for climate change mitigation in developing countries. MAPS provides a framework for developing evidence-based action plans that involve all stakeholders, ensuring that every segment of society plays a role in achieving net zero carbon emissions. In the context of Nigeria’s floods, MAPS can help formulate solutions that focus not only on infrastructure but also on community education and stricter environmental regulations. Additionally, AI can be used to optimize the delivery of this information through personalized messaging, public sentiment analysis, and interactive data visualization, making public communication more effective and focused, thereby strengthening climate change mitigation efforts in developing nations.

MAPS: A Pillar in Public Communication on Climate Change

The MAPS (Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios) method from the University of Cape Town is highly relevant for climate change mitigation in developing countries due to its holistic and contextual approach. MAPS enables the development of mitigation scenarios tailored to local conditions, taking into account factors such as economic development and infrastructure. This approach ensures that the solutions generated are practical, relevant, and can be effectively implemented.

Furthermore, MAPS emphasizes inclusivity by involving various stakeholders in the decision-making process. This inclusiveness is crucial for increasing the legitimacy and public support for mitigation efforts. The narratives built through MAPS are also evidence-based, easily understood by various segments of society, and capable of educating and mobilizing collective action.

With its flexibility, MAPS can adapt to changing conditions in developing countries while integrating sustainable development goals. This approach helps developing nations balance environmental protection with economic growth, making MAPS an effective tool for public communication in achieving net zero carbon emissions.

1. Stakeholder Engagement

One of the main strengths of the MAPS method is its inclusive approach, involving various stakeholders such as governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society. In the context of developing countries, this engagement is crucial to ensure that messages about climate change mitigation are not only delivered by the government but also supported by voices that hold significant influence within communities. These voices include religious leaders, who often have moral authority and are trusted by the broader public, as well as traditional leaders who play a key role in preserving local customs and wisdom.

Additionally, voices from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on environmental and social welfare are highly influential, as they usually have close ties to local communities and are seen as independent advocates. The influence of local media should not be overlooked either; journalists and media outlets trusted by the public play a vital role in disseminating accurate information and raising public awareness about climate change issues. By involving these various voices, the MAPS method ensures that climate change mitigation messages are delivered holistically and well-received by all segments of society.

2. Evidence-Based and Contextual Messaging

MAPS emphasizes the importance of using local data and evidence-based scenarios in communication, making climate change messages more relevant and understandable to the public. For example, in South Africa, the MAPS method has been used to develop scenarios that utilize data on the impacts of climate change on the local agricultural sector. This helps farmers understand why mitigation actions are crucial for their survival. Through this approach, South Africa has successfully created more effective mitigation policies supported by a public that understands the direct impact of climate change on their daily lives.

3. Long-Term Narratives

In the pursuit of net zero carbon emissions, MAPS plays a crucial role in building long-term narratives that connect mitigation actions with a vision of a more sustainable future. By focusing not only on emission reductions but also on additional benefits like improved air quality, enhanced public health, and stronger food security, MAPS helps the public understand that mitigation efforts not only address climate change but also bring immediate improvements to their quality of life.

By emphasizing these benefits, MAPS makes climate change mitigation messages more relevant and appealing to various stakeholders. Narratives that highlight concrete improvements in essential aspects of daily life, such as health and food, help build broader and more sustainable support. Additionally, these narratives provide a vision of a better and more equitable future, which can inspire collective action and ensure long-term support for mitigation efforts from all levels of society.

Artificial Intelligence: Optimizing Climate Change Communication

While MAPS provides a robust framework, the biggest challenge in public communication is effectively conveying the message to a diverse audience. This is where AI plays a role, offering solutions for personalized messaging, better interaction, and more efficient information dissemination.

1. Personalized Messaging

AI can analyze demographic and behavioral data to create more personalized and relevant messages. Through audience segmentation techniques, AI enables tailored messaging, so urban populations receive different information from rural communities, based on their specific needs and challenges. Personalization is crucial because each group experiences the impacts of climate change differently, making messages that resonate with their context more effective in raising awareness and understanding.

Personalization also helps bridge cultural and social differences between communities, making messages easier to accept and understand. Thus, personalized communication not only increases public engagement but also motivates real action in climate change mitigation efforts, as people feel their needs and concerns are acknowledged and appropriately addressed.

2. Interaction Through Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

AI-powered chatbots can provide real-time information and answer questions about climate change and mitigation strategies, enabling more personal and responsive interactions. In developing countries, where oral and visual cultures are more dominant, these chatbots become highly effective tools for raising public awareness and understanding.

With the ability to communicate in local languages and use easily understood formats, such as audio or video, AI chatbots can convey complex messages in a more direct and relatable way. This makes it easier for people who may not be familiar with long texts or scientific terminology to still access accurate and relevant information. Additionally, the ability of chatbots to provide quick responses to questions and concerns makes them a trusted source of information, helping to overcome communication barriers often encountered in environments with diverse literacy levels.

Thus, this technology not only improves information access but also adapts delivery methods to suit the needs and preferences of communities in developing countries, making it an effective tool for supporting education and engagement in climate change mitigation efforts.

3. Sentiment Analysis and Feedback

AI can be used to monitor public opinion through social media and other online platforms, allowing governments and organizations to gain real-time insights into public sentiment. By analyzing this sentiment, they can adjust their communication messages to better align with public perceptions and concerns. The impact is significant, especially in developing countries where a quick response to social dynamics is crucial.

First, the ability to dynamically adjust messages allows governments and organizations to more effectively convey relevant information that resonates with their audience. This helps build trust and credibility, as the public feels their voices are heard and considered in policy and public communication.

Second, by understanding the key public concerns, governments can identify issues that may require immediate intervention or further explanation, preventing miscommunication or potential resistance to proposed policies. Finally, sentiment monitoring enables more proactive communication strategies, ensuring that governments and organizations can respond appropriately to changes in public perception, maintain public support, and avoid dissatisfaction that could hinder the implementation of climate change mitigation policies.

4. Data Visualization and Scenario Simulation

AI-based visualization tools, such as interactive maps and climate change scenario simulations, are critical for improving climate literacy in developing countries. In this context, visualization serves as an effective tool for translating complex data into information that is easier for the general public to access and understand. In developing countries, where scientific literacy may still be limited, intuitive and interactive visualizations allow people to see directly how climate change and mitigation actions will impact their environment and daily lives.

Interactive maps, for example, can show how specific areas will be affected by rising sea levels or changing weather patterns, making the threat of climate change more tangible and urgent for local communities. Scenario simulations also allow people to explore various potential outcomes of mitigation actions, giving them a better understanding of what the future might look like if the right steps are taken. In this way, AI-based visualization not only enhances understanding but also empowers people to become more actively involved in mitigation efforts, helping to build broader and more informed support for climate action in developing countries.

Integrating MAPS and AI for More Effective Communication

Combining the MAPS method with AI technology creates opportunities for more effective and impactful public communication, where the strategies developed can be efficiently distributed and tailored to different audiences. This enables messages that are more relevant and widely accepted, increasing their reach and impact. In developing countries, this approach helps turn the challenges of climate change into opportunities to achieve ambitious net zero carbon emission targets, by building the awareness, support, and collective action needed to tackle the climate crisis.