If you felt like this summer was off to an especially warm start, you were right. According to NASA, June 2016 was the warmest June on record. NASA reports that the leading cause of this record-breaking heat wave is the increased level of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere, also known as climate change.
Oscar-winning actor and self-declared environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio recognizes the threat of climate change and has made this issue a priority over the past few years. Dedicating his personal Instagram account to sharing important information about climate change is one of the many initiatives he has taken. His account regularly posts straightforward content that shows how climate change is affecting all parts of the world, highlights conservation efforts and outlines ways that his followers can help.
In addition to educating his 9 million followers, DiCaprio’s Instagram account serves as an example of how to communicate a strong message through social media. It also serves as a reminder that it is possible for individuals and organizations to effectively educate the public about controversial information without being provocative. Below are a few lessons I’ve learned from following his account:
1. Consistently share interesting and important content from reputable sources.
Sharing and citing information from trusted and recognized sources adds credibility to any account, and it helps if the content is both interesting and important. According to an Ipsos study, 61 percent of social media users around the world seek to share interesting content and 43 percent seek to share important content.
2. Limit (or avoid) commentary on scientific facts.
Often times, commentary provokes a debate. By presenting non-disputable, scientific information, readers are able to absorb the facts in their entirety. Instagram makes this easy, as it gives users the opportunity to repost content. DiCaprio frequently uses this option to allow factual information from trusted sources to speak for itself. Below is an example of what reposting credible material looks like.
3. Create issue-focused Instagram accounts.
With so many pressing issues, it can be challenging to focus on one topic. But dedicating an account to channeling information about a certain issue — especially a broad one — can be a more effective approach. It allows organizations to thoroughly cover one issue, leaving followers with a clear understanding of what they can learn and expect from the account.
Social media allows the public to access celebrities in a more personal way, but DiCaprio has chosen to use that access to contribute to the environmental movement. His account shows us that Instagram can serve as a reliable news source for the public to access on a daily basis in a non-traditional and innovative way. When used responsibly, this tool has great potential to educate, motivate and unite people from all over the world.
Tags: climate change / Instagram / Leonardo DiCaprio
Categories: Digital