#SoCaltech: Ramit Debnath

"This is always challenging with social media-driven climate communication, as echo chambers are designed to create polarization and misinformation. ... However, social media can spread the right message in various ways. For example, greater emphasis on online climate science communication from research and governance institutions can help get the 'right' message out there. Emphasis should be placed on getting facts out while countering misinformation and designing pre-bunking strategies to immunise the public from misinformation. Moreover, sensitizing people that climate change is real and caused by human activities is crucial."

Ramit Debnath, visiting associate in computational social science, is investigating—along with Mike Alvarez, professor of political and computational social science at Caltech—how people's social networks can impact progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.