Beyond the single story: intersectional framing of poverty and climate change in Arabic YouTube Videos

This study examines the intersectional framing of poverty and climate change in Arabic YouTube videos, addressing a critical gap in media research on underrepresented regions. Using multimodal framing, it analyzes 277 videos to examine how visual, verbal (spoken transcripts), textual (video titles and hashtags), and emotional elements shape narratives around these interconnected issues. Arab media predominantly employ vulnerability, climate justice, and economic effects frames, emphasizing climate change’s disproportionate impact on marginalized communities and developing countries while attributing responsibility to industrialized countries. Visual framing relies heavily on scientific data graphics and images of drought and water scarcity; emotional framing is dominated by fear, followed by hope and anger. The findings underscore top-down climate communication in the Arab region, with limited grassroots and empowerment narratives, and call for inclusive, human-centered narratives that amplify local voices and public engagement.