UK newspaper (mis)representations of the potential for a collapse of the Thermohaline Circulation

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
This article investigates the representation in UK national newspaper articles between August 1987 and April 2006 of the possibility of abrupt climate change. It focuses primarily on representations of the possibility of a collapse in the Thermohaline Circulation (THC) and uses coverage of the possibility of a collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) as a counterpoint. The article draws on a content analysis of newspaper articles and interviews with journalists, scientists and politicians. It is suggested that the relatively large amount of coverage given to the THC issue, the absence of accompanying probabilistic statements, and the use of sensationalist headlines have had a significant influence on public perceptions of the climate future for the UK.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Area (London, 1969), issn : 0004-0894, 2010, vol. 42, n°. 4, p. 444-456, nombre de pages : 13, Références bibliographiques : 2,5 p.

Date :
2010

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, London, Institute of British Geographers