In TV there’s been this saying forever: “if it bleeds it leads” referring to what story would be the lead story in the TV newscast. It stands to reason then that “environmental catastrophe” would get more airplay and print. This study confirms what I’ve known for a very long time – chaos sells newspapers and makes ratings. Except…now people are getting saturated. AGW has become the O.J. Simpson story of our time, it has worn out its welcome. – Anthony
Media Tend To Doomsay When Addressing Environmental Issues
ScienceDaily (July 9, 2009) — This study, undertaken by researchers from the University of the Basque Country (UBC), analyses the role played by the media in creating and spreading a stance regarding the protection of the environment, sustainable development and natural heritage.
This research, published in the latest issue of the Revista Latina de Comunicación Social (Latin Journal of Social Communication in English) proposes and performs an analysis of the dialectic strategies used by the daily press to treat environmental information. Jose Ignacio Lorente, a lecturer at the UBC and one of the researchers who participated in the project told SINC that the study was concerned with “the way in which social communication media, particularly news media, contribute to creating and spreading social visions of sustainable development and the conservation and protection of the environment in general and natural heritage in particular”.
The research team studied the information published in connection with the environmental summit held in Bali in 2007. Apart from this analysis, the researchers complemented this information with a survey carried out in Urdaibai the Basque Country. The questions referred to the perceptions, attitudes and willingness to participate in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, aspects in relation to the social representations identified in the analysis of the contents of the study.
The extensive analysis of the dialectics included an evaluation of the so-called news agendas, as well as framing procedures (the way in which the media determine how they will consider and publicly present information) and priming procedures (which ensure the relevance of certain aspects of the news that sustain the reasoning behind a given interpretation of the facts).
Lorente believes the conclusions of this study suggest that “the media make an active contribution to tackling the complexity of the sustainability crisis of the current model of development, by confining their interpretation to environmental problems, but also fail to consider the social, economic and cultural aspects of a production system based on growth and the massive exploitation of natural resources”.
What Happens and What the Media Says
According to the results of the study, the news agenda that the media developed regarding the Summit in Bali focused on scientific evidence of the global dimensions of climate change, the fact that its potentially devastating effects could be immediate and its anthropogenic nature. However, according to the researchers, this agenda “avoided addressing the real reasons behind the political argument in detail, by means of a narrative strategy in which dramatising conflicts, threats and delays regarding CO2 quotas prevailed,” becoming the top priority for the Bali Summit.
However, Lorente adds, “the emphasis the media placed on scientific evidence regarding the human nature of the causes for climate change was not linked to citizens’ sphere of activity, despite fact that their everyday decisions and behaviour – transport, energy saving, recycling – account for 20% of the problem”.
According to the research by the UBC, alarmist and catastrophist news focusing on the risk of natural disasters and the urgency of political and economic action “places the emphasis on the heroic efforts of abstract and distant individuals whose motives are not always clear”. This approach, they say, appears to lack references to or be based on citizen’s everyday life.
Furthermore, the prominence of the eco-efficient approach (based on expectations that techno-scientific development is enough to mitigate the effects of climate change) results in the media not covering the debate in connection with the social, economic and cultural model that citizens are willing to assume and share, reinforcing instead, according to Lorente, the perspective that our current way of life, production and consumption is the only option available when it comes to interpreting development and sustainability.”
Journal reference:
- José Ignacio Lorente; José Enrique Antolín; Francisco Javier Doblas. La construcción mediática de lo ecológico. Estrategias discursivas en la información de actualidad. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, Number 64, pages 315-327
Cronkite: “I think being a liberal, in the true sense, is being nondoctrinaire, nondogmatic, non-committed to a cause – but examining each case on its merits. Being left of center is another thing; it’s a political position. I think most newspapermen by definition have to be liberal; if they’re not liberal, by my definition of it, then they can hardly be good newspapermen. If they’re preordained dogmatists for a cause, then they can’t be very good journalists; that is, if they carry it into their journalism.”
Indiana Bones (10:31:25) :
“The Chevy Volt will go 40 miles on a single charge. Cost of that charge is about $1.50.”
This assumes no Taxman/Malarkey bill. Then it becomes windmill science– at 4 times the cost per kilowatt/hr.
The latest scares and skeptic responses, much more to follow:
http://heliogenic.blogspot.com/2009/07/ilulissat-panic.html
http://heliogenic.blogspot.com/2009/07/as-copenhagen-nears-propaganda-heats-up.html
LarryD (11:19:32) :
One problem with going en mass to electric vehicles. The bottleneck resource will then be lithium (for advanced batteries). We have enough for research, but mass deployment will require more than domestic sources can supply. Look up where the lithium resources are distributed.
Yes, we will end up in Columbia thus changing dependence from resources from one dictatorship to the other.
Electric cars based on the current battery technology will stay a niche market application.
The technology is too expensive, not flexible and not redundant cold climates.
I really think all suitable applications are already available.
Golf buggies, electric bicycles, invalid buggies, all are in production for years now and no real innovation has taken place.
We have sufficient fossil fuels available to last the next 150 years.
We will make new inventions and find a viable alternative but not because Government says so.
Whatever they put on the market by 2012, from Chevy Volt to Electric Mini, they won’t sell it in real numbers.
So GM, BMW, Lotus, Toyota, Nissan/Renault, Tesla, Lightning, and all those other car producing opportunists, dream on.
Sorry, basqueboy – Las vegas means the palms. Also lowlands or plains.
I would use orilla for bank of a river
Has anyone here read books from Ian Wishart, investigative journalist?
Ron, thanks for the link. I’ll take a look. I do realize the point was the Nazi Germany comparison, although I think that is a somewhat overworked context, and ignores the longer view.
Many words have been written about what motivates decision makers, but in my experience they are driven by the same thing as everyone else – that being self interest. Which is not the same thing as selfish interest btw, and is often subconsciously disguised as caring for their people. Noblese oblige if you will. They truly believe they know what is best for everyone. Which is the very thing that makes them so dangerous.
In my reading and experience, most of history’s greatest rulers ( the great Khans, Caesars, Pharaohs, etc. ) truly believed that they had the interests of their tribe, clan, state, etc. at heart. Which also meant that those outside of their group suffered the consequences. I think this is also prevalent in today’s world. If you really listen to Obama and other contemporary leaders you can detect the same attitude, only differing in geographic and demographic scales.
Practical evolution at work, since humanity as a species has no natural enemies other than each other (viruses excluded of course ).
D. King (11:45:02) :
Ron de Haan (09:43:22) :
Ron,
Last time I asked you why, you said population control. It appears
that there is more to it than that. May I suggest it is boredom;
people with too much time on their hands, no real direction, and
the power or money to force a change. I think that’s why we don’t
get the process. We are, for the most part, motivated to discover
the unknown, to advance the society through advancements in
technology and to make our collective situation better. They are
motivated by self interest, power and the control of others. Kind of
a gated community that has spilled over the gates. They are never
honest in divulging their motivations, nor is honesty a particularly
important trait to them. I have noticed that they will say or omit
whatever is necessary to obtain their goal. I believe there must be a
few in the media that have yet to succumb. Anyway, if nothing else,
this should highlight the necessity and importance of history as field
of study.
Dave
Ray (09:17:59) :
Torturous!
D.King,
I think you overestimate the boredom aspect.
People who are bored are no initiators.
The are “followers”.
The current clan of politicians, environmental groups, non profits, consulting organization, universities, all pulling the same plug on our economies are not bored.
They are obsessed, indoctrinated, corrupt, deceitful and they don’t like people, the achievements of mankind or nature.
They believe humanity is a threat for the future and they have to stop it’s development.
That is where this is about.
It’s a sick ideology.
I am so tired of hearing the word green that I wish people would go to nazi.org to see EXACTLY what it means. Then maybe we’ll see the word dropped from the current newspeak, even by those socialist inclined journalists who are trying their hardest to feed a new political-religious system into the minds of our youth.
Ron de Haan (14:20:34) :
No matter what kind of innovations they do for electric cars, you still have to generate the electricity to charge the batteries.
Ditto for hyrogen.
The cars still need to be fueled, no matter if it’s a battery storing the power or a hydrogen cell holding the power.
Unless we are about to turn into Morlocks, charging our batteries during the day and travelling at night, there’s not much point without more power sources.
OSUprof (12:25:32) :
Thank you. I live in Pullman, WA, home of WSU (Go Cougs) and I would really hate myself if Hansen came to lecture at the school and I didn’t show up. I looked around at WSU’s usual lecture announcements but I didn’t see anything.
Ray (12:31:23) :
Pearland Aggie (12:07:55) :
Linda Nazar from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, might just be on the right path. http://news.therecord.com/article/542189
I used to use her x-ray powder diffraction instrument when I did my PhD there (in the lab above). At the time she worked on polymer batteries, and I think she still does.
The sudden dischare of energy in ALL energy storage systems was always and will always be a problem, it does not only apply to batteries. But the more energy you pack in smaller storage systems, the bigger the boom when it goes wrong… the best example is the hydrogen bomb…. lots of power in such small volume.
Ray, thanks for the link.
I try to track all kinds of technological developments including batteries for several years now.
I have a whole collection of press releases that promise exciting new battery technology.
Two years ago a press release was issued by a company stating they were on the brink of producing a battery with 10 fold capacity, three minutes charging time and unlimited discharge time, ideal for electric car propulsion.
WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE FIRST BATTERY.
All those companies, universities and even Government Labs. all are looking for development budgets.
The final product that meets the specifications mentioned in the initial press release however never materialize.
Sure, progress is made but high (er) capacity batteries come at a much higher price.
Despite all the efforts and the incredible pressure from the producers of a.o., lab tops and cell phones producers for better batteries, I think the results are rather disappointing.
My latest lap top can be operated for 8 hours but as soon as I use the wireless connection it is reduced to 3 hours.
The big gain in battery endurance was made by new electronic components that use less energy rather than by new battery technology.
And that is the reality of the day.
Ron de Haan (14:50:45) :
The current clan of politicians, environmental groups, non profits, consulting organization, universities, all pulling the same plug on our economies are not bored.
They are obsessed, indoctrinated, corrupt, deceitful and they don’t like people, the achievements of mankind or nature.
They believe humanity is a threat for the future and they have to stop it’s development.
That is where this is about.
It’s a sick ideology.
—————-
It all boils down to this pseudo science they all believe in – Eugenics. Oh, they beleive in humanity, but only certain kinds including theirs.
For more information: The Population Reduction Agenda For Dummies
http://www.infowars.com/the-population-reduction-agenda-for-dummies/
Ray, speaking of Eugenics, you should read about our current Science Czar:
Forced abortions and mass sterilization needed to save the planet
Just in from Climate Depot:
Gore: U.S. Climate Bill Will Help Bring About ‘Global Governance’
http://www.climatedepot.com/a/1893/Gore-US-Climate-Bill-Will-Help-Bring-About-Global-Governance
“I bring you good news from the U.S., “Gore said on July 7, 2009 in Oxford at the Smith School World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment, sponsored by UK Times.
Gore touted the Congressional climate bill, claiming it “will dramatically increase the prospects for success” in combating what he sees as the “crisis” of man-made global warming.
“But it is the awareness itself that will drive the change and one of the ways it will drive the change is through global governance and global agreements.”
OUR AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS DON’T TAKE IT ANY LONGER AND START TO PROTEST.
Australians protest july 13th against Al Gore and Government Climate Policies:
* Dedicated to expose the fallacy of Anthropogenic or man-made Global Warming (AGW)
* Committed to oppose all forms of a Carbon Tax including all Carbon Trading Schemes
* Pledged to resist all climate-related Government policies that are not based on independent and verifiable science
+++ Join the educational protest against Al Gore on 13th July in Melbourne! +++
Dear Fellow Australians
“Scepticism is the highest of duties, and blind faith the one unpardonable sin.”
So wrote Thomas Huxley, one of the great minds of the scientific age.
Anthropogenic or man-made Global Warming (AGW) alarmism is the biggest con, fraud, hoax, swindle, deception and mass hysteria in the history of modern civilization, because climate changes naturally.
The Climate Sceptics support all practical measures to prevent environmental degradation. We support the development of cleaner and more efficient sources of energy. Unfortunately governmental taxes to stop climate change are a colossal diversion of funds from core obligations, and Emission Trading Schemes (ETS) will do absolutely nothing for the Murray-Darling basin, the Great Barrier Reef, or land degradation – just as it will do absolutely nothing to stop climate change.
The Climate Sceptics are here to demand rational debate and responsible leadership. We reject the extremist views that now threaten what Australians have sacrificed to achieve in living standards, rights and freedoms.
If you want your own children and grandchildren to enjoy these values as you do, click here to join, and get in touch with your kindred spirits in your local area. There are a lot more of you than some might want you to discover.
Join Now
Warmest Regards
Leon Ashby
President
Leon and thousands of other Australian landholders have lost property rights due to the Kyoto protocol and other environmental laws.
See a video explanation: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
http://www.climatesceptics.com.au/
Without any comments:
http://www.climatedepot.com/a/1893/Gore-US-Climate-Bill-Will-Help-Bring-About-Global-Governance
This is another indication that the UN initiated World Revolution is much more than a conspiracy theory. http://green-agenda.com and http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/
I wonder how the Chinese and the Russians think about the idea of Global Governance.
I think they love it as long as they are in power.
Our politicians are really demented and we have to stop this charade.
A reporter takes notes during a demonstration for the enforcement of the Kioto protocol in in Calgary (Canada). (Credit: ItzaFineDay (Creative Commons))
I was shocked when I saw this graphic. I just hadn’t realised just how far North humans had migrated until I saw that poor girl in the red-jacket talking to a polar bear. If Global Warming continues to advance at this rate it can only be a matter of time before mankind reaches the North Pole!
Orwell was right.
Ron de Haan (17:19:35) :
“I think they love it as long as they are in power.”
I think that’s what each player in the AGW scam is let to believe, with all that strange talk about leadership and what not.
It’s more about power to control people than money relay ever noticed how Al’s eyes glaze over every time he does say control or leader in witch position he thinks he is in.
David Corcoran (16:05:03) :
Ray, speaking of Eugenics, you should read about our current Science Czar:
Forced abortions and mass sterilization needed to save the planet
Thanks for the link David.
This Holdren guy is a genuine SOB
How is it possible we have this kind of lunatics in Government positions?
The quotes made in the linked publication are absolute horror.
I wonder if this guy got his education from Dr. Mengele.
“Like peas and carrots”
As in I don’t like it?
Someone asked about UEA’s inclusion of gender studies in their course on climate change. This is obviously a matter of language — ‘gender’ is a grammatical term which has become conflated with the word ‘sex’. Sex and temperature in reptiles is a vital study — see
http://www.reptileconservation.org/ for more information.
As an East Anglian I resent the idea that our major science institution would be so dim as to dilute an important course with sociological claptrap about ‘gender’ relationships in a warming world. They know that science is above such nonsense. They are also committed to free and open sharing of all their science, data and methods.
And I am Marie of Romania.
JF
David Corcoran (16:05:03) :
I read that link out of curiosity, and had a realization. The Chinese don’t trust global warming because of the drum beating on the population surge. They actually followed through and made people have only one child.