Abstract
ABSTRACT Media coverage of climate change impacts and adaptation will likely influence how citizens think society can and should adapt. Here, we undertook the first analysis of UK newspaper adaptation coverage. We identified five prominent adaptation narratives: (1) the government should build more flood defences, (2) home owners should buy flood insurance, (3) individuals should become more informed, (4) the farming industry should innovate, (5) and the natural environment should fight for its survival. We find that only some of the more immediate climate change impacts likely to affect the UK are presented as necessitating a response. The government is considered primarily responsible while UK citizens are given few and narrow responsibilities. The range of adaptive actions under consideration is limited and unchallenging to the status quo. In summary, newspaper coverage presents a restricted view as to when the UK should adapt and how it could adapt.
Highlights
This paper presents the first analysis of newspaper coverage of climate change adaptation in the UK drawing on 282 articles published in 14 national and regional newspapers during 2013, 2015 and 2017
We identified five prominent adaptation narratives: (1) due to flooding the government should build more flood defences and (2) homeowners should buy insurance
The premise of this research was that the stories societies tell about disruptive events influence how they’re conceptualized and, the response and resolution taken. Reading across these narratives we found that newspapers present adaptation as principally a response to flooding and much less so to other climate risks likely to affect the UK and in the future; as still largely dependent on the actions and support of the national government; and as intending to maintain the current way of life while trying to protect those most at risk from acute weather impacts
Summary
“Adaptation” refers to actions that reduce the harm caused by impacts and take advantage of any opportunities that arise (IPCC, 2014). This is a broad definition and adaptation research has started to consider issues of what, who, when and intended outcome. In terms of who should adapt, some have argued that adequately responding to climate change threats should incorporate as many stakeholders as possible (Fazey et al, 2016). The UK government promotes multi-stakeholder engagement in its National Adaptation Programme (DEFRA, 2018), recent research found that in practice public bodies still dominate governmentinitiated adaptation (Lorenz et al, 2019). UK residents have differing opinions as to whether adaptation is the responsibility of the government or society at large, and there is some evidence that this
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
