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Sociology
Communication

Mass Media Roles in Climate Change Mitigation

Profile image of Kristen Alley SwainKristen Alley Swain

2012, Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7991-9_6
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36 pages

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Abstract

News media portrayals of climate change have strongly influenced personal and global efforts to mitigate it through news production, individual media consumption, and personal engagement. This chapter explores the media framing of mitigation strategies, including the effects of media routines, factors that drive news coverage, the influences of claims-makers, scientists, and other information sources, the role of scientific literacy in interpreting climate change stories, and specific messages that mobilize action or paralysis. It also examines how journalists often explain complex climate science and legitimize sources, how audiences process competing messages about scientific uncertainty, how climate stories compete with other issues for public attention, how large-scale economic and political factors shape news production, and how the media can engage public audiences in climate change issues.

FAQs

sparkles

AI

What explains the media’s framing of climate change efforts over time?add

The paper demonstrates that media framing has evolved through distinct phases influenced by political events and scientific consensus, showing significant coverage increases during major events like the IPCC reports in 1990, 1995, and 2001.

Why do media framing effects vary across different audiences?add

The study reveals that framing can lead to divergent audience responses, with thematic frames promoting greater policy support compared to episodic frames, influencing behaviors related to climate change engagement.

How has climate change coverage changed in response to specific events?add

Coverage saw a notable surge after events like Hurricane Katrina in 2005, emphasizing conflict and urgency, yet often failing to enhance public understanding of long-term climate issues.

When did scientific consensus about human-induced climate change gain prominence in media?add

In 1995, over 2,000 researchers reached a consensus on human influence on climate, substantially shaping media narratives and public perception towards urgency in climate action.

What role do media sourcing decisions play in climate change narratives?add

The research illustrates that journalists tend to favor authoritative political and expert sources, leading to the framing of climate change as a contested issue, while sidelining dissenting scientific voices.

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