Political Science: Media Literacy and Global Warming

Abstract

A fundamental disconnect exists between concepts of global warming developed in scientific journals and much of the popular debate on this subject on the op-ed pages of many daily newspapers. In the scientific journals, the subject is studied with reference to the way in which the Earth system operates, invoking such concepts as thermal inertia, feedback loops, and various aspects of oceanic and atmospheric circulation in the context of paleoclimate (the Earth's climatic history). Many of these concepts emerge only rarely on the op-ed pages, in the hands of political pundits whose audiences sometimes number in the millions. In their hands, the debate is phrased most often in political or moralistic terms. The more strident of these pundits dismiss global warming as a cult or theology, dismissing its scientific basis entirely. This disconnect vexes many scientists, who realize that their ability to influence public policy is being limited by a lack of scientific literacy in the media, and in the public realm generally. The following paper describes some illustrative examples of the public debate and provides a discussion of the scientific basics for use by media professionals.