New “Folk Devils,” Denials and Climate Change: Applying the Work of Stanley Cohen to Green Criminology and Environmental Harm

Abstract

This article pays homage to Stan Cohen by applying his work to green criminology. It draws on Cohen’s notions of “denial,” “folk devils” and “moral panic” to analyze and assess “climate change contrarianism”—organized efforts to diminish scientific consensus on the existence and extent of climate change and its potential impact on human and nonhuman life. We begin by arguing that “climate change contrarians” have painted climate change as a moral issue and have attempted to transform climate scientists into “folk devils.” We then contemplate the meaning and significance of media representations of climate change and the way in which such depictions have contributed to the lack of consequential state and international measures, treaties or protocols on climate change.