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SCIENCE IS THE NEW FICTION: Divisive Discourse on Climate Change in the United States

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The Sustainability Communication Reader

Abstract

Research on the interplay of media and environmental engagement is increasingly focused on politicization, including exposure to fake and conflicting information on social and traditional media (Iyengar et al. 2019). Indeed, issues of framing and the role of credible experts amidst journalistic “objectivity” further divide the public debate about climate science vs. denial in the United States. This study focuses on the political party-based media coverage of sustainability in the context of the 2019 Climate Strikes, contrasting identified conservative and liberal media coverage. Using the work of scientist Bruno Latour to understand media’s role in public understanding and resistance, findings note a focus on coverage of sustainability celebrity and events rather than promoting understanding or calls to action.

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Correspondence to Nancy Van Leuven .

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Van Leuven, N., Shaw, T., Bergson, L. (2021). SCIENCE IS THE NEW FICTION: Divisive Discourse on Climate Change in the United States. In: Weder, F., Krainer, L., Karmasin, M. (eds) The Sustainability Communication Reader. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-31883-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-31883-3_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer VS, Wiesbaden

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-658-31882-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-658-31883-3

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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