A small exhibition at Utrecht Central Station examined how images used in climate journalism affect audiences. Media researcher Daniëlle Arets of Fontys University of Applied Sciences said that alarming photographs, such as forest fires, melting glaciers and dying coral, can discourage people from reading climate news; she cited research indicating that almost a quarter of young people avoid such news. Dirk van den Bosch of the National Climate Platform, a co-organiser, also said that frightening images can put people off.

The exhibition presented alternatives that show possible action, including people removing paving tiles and planting greenery in Antwerp and a green urban scene in Paris during a period of heat stress. Visitors said they generally found the forest-fire photograph more compelling, while Arets said the exhibition was also intended to examine the longer-term effects of negative imagery. The exhibition, titled “De Overstappen”, was open at Utrecht Central Station near tracks 18 and 19 until Saturday.