This presentation considers the varied ways that one can model and analyze the science-politics communication process with regard to climate change. The focus is particularly on the following: the ways that politics further confounds existing challenges faced by climate scientists when speaking to those outside of their respective domains; the processes that allow media-based climate science reports to impact public opinion and policy outcomes; and the options we have to improve how climate science is communicated to the general public. Specific focus is given to the institutions in the United States that dictate how scientists and engineers function within government as well as how lobbying interests have bolstered climate change skepticism.