Study on the Effect of International Disaster News Reporting on Public Environmental Protection Behavior

This study zeroes in on the impact of international disaster coverage on public environmental behaviors, employing the S-O-R (Stimulus-Organism-Response) theoretical framework to chronologically analyze how global in-depth disaster reporting at various time periods triggers shifts in public environmental awareness and actions. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative analysis with quantitative data, it compiles cases of major environmental disasters worldwide over nearly two decades, including wildfires, marine pollution, and extreme weather events, meticulously examining how media information acts as external stimuli, processed through cognitive mechanisms, leading to emotional responses and subsequent behavioral intentions. The findings reveal that high-frequency, high-quality disaster event coverage significantly heightens public recognition of the urgency for environmental protection, particularly during the initial stages post-event. Immediate and comprehensive disclosure can rapidly capture broad attention, activating feelings of empathy and responsibility, thereby catalyzing pro-environmental behaviors such as energy conservation, waste sorting, and participation in public welfare activities. However, without sustained follow-up reports and positive reinforcement, the public's focus tends to wane over time, diminishing environmental motivation and hardening behavior patterns. The research also observes the pivotal role played by social media platforms in amplifying the influence of disaster reporting, facilitating collective memory formation and consensus building through viral dissemination; yet, this comes with challenges like information overload and exaggerated emotional appeal, potentially leading to audience fatigue and reduced intervention efficacy.