Exploring the impact of media discourse on social perceptions towards biomass energy utilization in China

Abstract

Media discourse reflects and shapes social and public opinion, which is crucial to the policy-making and energy system deployment. In this study, we focus on exploring the impact of media discourse on social perceptions towards biomass energy utilization in the different economic areas of China via free-expression surveys guided by the framework of socio-political evaluation of energy deployment (SPEED), which are posted and promoted in social networks. A systematical benefit-risk analysis in each SPEED framework has been discussed. Responses to the survey questions regarding the impact of media discourse on social perceptions towards biomass energy utilization in each SPEED benefit-risk framework are processed by natural language processing, and then analyzed via the word network model in social network services where several network-based indices are computed. The hidden keywords addressing the impact of media discourse on social perceptions towards biomass energy utilization are revealed. This study is to serve the public communication and implementation strategies on biomass energy deployment and utilization, and unveil the often-overlooked social influences affecting energy system change.