Polluted discourse: Communication and myths in a climate of denial
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2016
Department
Department of Chemistry
Abstract
Human activities, principally the burning of fossil fuels, are changing the climate. Despite widespread scientific consensus on this fact, communicating the risks posed by climate change to the public remains challenging. We examine the role of contrarian narratives in climate communication, focusing on two terminological claims—(1) that scientists abandoned the term global warming in favor of climate change in response to a change in temperature evolution, and (2) that catastrophic anthropogenic global warming is the mainstream scientific position—and find them to be without merit. We discuss how scientists and communicators can neutralize these myths while informing the public. Finally, we summarize the existing literature on word choice in climate communications and suggest best practices based on target audiences.
Publication Title
Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research
ISBN
978-3-319-20161-0
Recommended Citation
Jacobs, P.,
Jokimäki, A.,
Rice, K.,
Green, S.,
&
Winkler, B.
(2016).
Polluted discourse: Communication and myths in a climate of denial.
Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research,
45, 37-54.
http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20161-0_3
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/4083