Between Moral and Climate Crisis: Interpreting Climate Change Through the Lens of Moral Panic

Maria Laura Ruiu, Massimo Ragnedda

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter identifies four main themes in the literature on media communication of climate change, which represent an interesting object of analysis for scholars who focus on moral panics' application. The combination of both the processual model and the attributional model to interpret the results of this literature review shows that during its emergence, climate change was polarised between “advocates” and “deniers” of both its existence and anthropogenic causes. This division has progressively shifted towards the consequences of climate change and need for action against it. Two distinct moral panics are identified. One is rooted in sceptical arguments and seems to work “in reverse” by emphasising the “uncertainty” around the phenomenon and its impacts. A second one is triggered by climate change supporters, who emphasise that climate change threatens life on the planet and that the current social practices need regulation and control.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Research on Advanced Research Methodologies for a Digital Society
EditorsGabriella Punziano, Angela Delli Paoli
Place of PublicationHershey, PA
PublisherIGI Global
Chapter40
Pages727-745
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)9781799884743
ISBN (Print)9781799884736
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Publication series

NameHandbook of Research on Advanced Research Methodologies for a Digital Society
PublisherIGI Global
ISSN (Print)2326-7607

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