scholarly journals A Mission for MARS: The Success of Climate Change Skeptic Rhetoric in the US

Res Rhetorica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Ruser
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
White Middle Class ◽  
Climate Skepticism ◽  
The Us ◽  
Conservative Media

Radio and television broadcasters accuse climate scientists of “promoting a global warming hoax”, recommending that they be “named and fi red, drawn and quartered” (Rush Limbaugh); commit “hara kiri” (Glenn Beck); and be “publicly flogged” (Mark Morano). Conservative media are crucial in promoting climate skepticism. Likewise, climate skepticism resonates well with white middle-class men. But why does the middle class continue to support “radical” positions? This article focuses on Anti-Intellectualism to explain why climate skeptic rhetoric resonates with “Middle American Radicals” (MARS).

US backsliding will drag on global climate progress

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Paris Agreement ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Federal Support ◽  
The Us ◽  
The World ◽  
Climate Action

Subject The Paris Agreement and US withdrawal. Significance President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change on June 1, prompting criticism from around the world. While current pledges are unlikely to change and the agreement will not see flight or withdrawal by other countries, US withdrawal imperils the ability of the agreement’s structure to accelerate climate action to a scale necessary to meet its objective of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees centigrade by 2100. Impacts The US private sector and sub-national polities will increase their climate action, though the loss of federal support will still be felt. A future US administration could re-enter the agreement, but substantial momentum will be lost diplomatically in the intervening years. Calls for greater adaptation -- rather than mitigation -- funds from climate-vulnerable states will grow more strident.

Climate Change Criminology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob White
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Crime Prevention ◽  
Corporate Crime ◽  
Global Capitalism ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Concise Overview ◽  
The Us ◽  
Paris Climate Agreement

This book asks what can be learned from the problem-solving focus of crime prevention to help face the challenges of climate change in this call to arms for criminology and criminologists. Industries such as energy, food, and tourism and the systematic destruction of the environment through global capitalism are scrutinized for their contribution to global warming. Ideas of ‘state–corporate crime’ and ‘ecocide’ are introduced and explored in this concise overview of criminological writings on climate change. This sound and robust application of theoretical concepts to this ‘new’ area also includes commentary on topical issues such as the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate agreement.

scholarly journals Vinay Lal, The Fury of COVID-19: The Politics, Histories, and Unrequited Love of the Coronavirus, New Dehli: Pan Macmillan Publishing, 2020.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. iv-xi
Author(s):  
Syed sami Raza
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Political Economy ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
The Us ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Uk

This book is composed of a set of disparate essays that are grounded in history, political economy, and philosophy. These essays focus on a range of topics addressing different dynamics of the coronavirus pandemic. They include history of pandemics, governmental discourse on health and practical strategies, the role of WHO, neo-liberal economic order and consumerism, social order and human attitudes, nationalism and immigration, and global warming and climate change. Shedding light on these various dynamics, Lal exposes the high claims made by the powerful states like the US, the UK, and European states about their superior political systems, health care programs, and welfare services.

Climate Change, Apocalypse, and the Future of Salvation

Futures ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 225-242
Author(s):  
John R. Hall ◽  
Zeke Baker
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
The Us ◽  
Exploratory Survey ◽  
The Future ◽  
Climate Crisis

In this chapter, an exploratory survey focuses on ‘popular theologies’ in relation to institutional religious formations in the US in order to bring to light affinities and disjunctures between alternative ways that global salvation can be (or fail to be) envisioned and engaged in relation to climate futures. Given climate change, the future of salvation is not simply a matter for individual souls, as religion often has it. The spectre of global warming poses salvation challenges of potentially apocalyptic proportions for the biosphere and peoples of the planet Earth. Religion in its discourses and practices brings issues of salvation into especially sharp resolution. It is also the ambivalent ur-source of the apocalyptic, which, along with other religious theologies and practices, can be mapped in relation to their distinctive social temporalities. Focusing on alternative temporalities—especially apocalyptic orientations towards the Millennium—lays bare the cultural antinomies of climate crisis.

The Tea Party and the Remaking of Republican Conservatism

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Williamson ◽  
Theda Skocpol ◽  
John Coggin
Keyword(s):  
Middle Class ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Republican Party ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Tea Party ◽  
Far Right ◽  
Business Elites ◽  
White Middle Class ◽  
Electoral Defeat ◽  
Conservative Media

In the aftermath of a potentially demoralizing 2008 electoral defeat, when the Republican Party seemed widely discredited, the emergence of the Tea Party provided conservative activists with a new identity funded by Republican business elites and reinforced by a network of conservative media sources. Untethered from recent GOP baggage and policy specifics, the Tea Party energized disgruntled white middle-class conservatives and garnered widespread attention, despite stagnant or declining favorability ratings among the general public. As participant observation and interviews with Massachusetts activists reveal, Tea Partiers are not monolithically hostile toward government; they distinguish between programs perceived as going to hard-working contributors to US society like themselves and “handouts” perceived as going to unworthy or freeloading people. During 2010, Tea Party activism reshaped many GOP primaries and enhanced voter turnout, but achieved a mixed record in the November general election. Activism may well continue to influence dynamics in Congress and GOP presidential primaries. Even if the Tea Party eventually subsides, it has undercut Obama's presidency, revitalized conservatism, and pulled the national Republican Party toward the far right.

Climate change, global population growth, and humanoid robots

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
James McBride
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Humanoid Robots ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The Us ◽  
Primary Driver ◽  
Technological World ◽  
Developed World ◽  
Global Population

According to the 2015 Paris Agreement, signatories were to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. However, it is more likely that global warming will rise above 1.5°C by 2050 and 2.0°C by 2100. The primary driver of climate change is population growth. 7.7 billion people live on the planet with projections of 11 billion by 2100. Accordingly, developed countries like the US, which disproportionately generate the CO2 causing climate change, need to reduce population; however, the U.S. government, in particular, is increasingly hostile to the availability of birth control and abortion. It is in this context that the technological world of humanoid robots may make a significant impact upon populations in the developed world. Scholars project the proliferation of humanoid robots as objects of sexual desire. As people increasingly use humanoid robots as sexual partners, particularly in developed countries where individuals can afford expensive sexbots, the birth rate of developed countries will surely fall from the current 1.7 in the US, 1.6 in Europe, and 1.4 in Japan. This article explores the problems with and the possibilities of humanoid sex robots as a prophylactic to human population growth and climate change.

scholarly journals Balance (Climate and Environment Coverage)

10.34778/2o ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Mahl ◽  
Lars Guenther
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
New York Times ◽  
The United States ◽  
Anthropogenic Global Warming ◽  
The Us ◽  
Prestige Press ◽  
Anthropogenic Contributions

Balance – as a journalistic norm in the domain of climate change reporting – is measured by analyzing both coverage of the debate over anthropogenic contributions to global warming (i.e., the existence of anthropogenic global warming) and coverage of decisions regarding action on global warming (i.e., actions regarding global warming) (Boykoff & Boykoff, 2004). Field of application/theoretical foundation: Balance is a commonly investigated and internationally agreed-upon journalistic norm that ensures that journalists portray different sides of a story in a neutral and objective way (Westerståhl, 1983). In science reporting, more specifically in reporting on climate change, this journalistic norm can lead to biased reporting in that sense that journalistic coverage does not mirror the scientific understanding (i.e., climate change does exist and action is needed) (Boykoff & Boykoff, 2004). References/combination with other methods of data collection: There are experimental studies that test the effects of differentially balanced news stories (e.g., Clarke et al., 2014; Dixon & Clarke, 2012), largely confirming that balanced coverage reduces confidence in a scientific consensus and heightens uncertainty of science, risks, etc. Example studies: Boykoff & Boykoff (2004); Boykoff (2007); Clarke (2008); Clarke et al. (2014); Dixon & Clarke (2012)   Information on Boykoff & Boykoff, 2004 Authors: Maxwell T. Boykoff & Jules M. Boykoff Research question: The prevalence of the norm of balance in reporting on climate change and the degree to what this coverage’s adherence to balance led to biased coverage of both anthropogenic contributions to global warming (i.e., its existence) and resultant action. Object of analysis: A sample (636 articles) of the US prestige-press coverage of global warming, i.e., New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal Time frame of analysis: between 1988 and 2002 Info about variables Variables: Two measures of balance: (a) Coverage of the debate over anthropogenic contributions to global warming (i.e., existence) (b) Coverage of decisions regarding action on global warming (i.e., action) Level of analysis: Newspaper article Variables and values: (a) First measure: Coverage of the debate over anthropogenic contributions to global warming (i.e., existence) Article only presents argument that anthropogenic global warming exists, clearly distinct from natural variations Article presents both sides, but emphasizes that anthropogenic global warming exists, still distinct from natural variation Article presents a balanced account of debates surrounding existence of anthropogenic global warming Article presents both sides, but emphasizes dubious nature of the claim that anthropogenic global warming exists (b) Second measure: Coverage of decisions regarding action on global warming (i.e., action) Dominant coverage of decisions/assertions regarding immediate/mandatory action to deal with global warming Balanced accounts of various decisions regarding action Dominant coverage of decisions/assertions regarding cautious/voluntary approaches to deal with global warming Reliability: Intercoder reliability rate of 93% Codebook: Table 1 in Boykoff & Boykoff (2004, p. 128)   References Boykoff, M. T., & Boykoff, J. M. (2004). Balance as bias: Global warming and the US prestige press. Global Environmental change 14, 125-136. doi: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2003.10.001 Boykoff, M. T. (2007). Flogging a dead norm? Newspaper coverage of anthropogenic climate change in the United States and United Kingdom from 2003 to 2006. Area 39(2), 470-481. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4762.2007.00769.x Clarke, C. E. (2008). A question of balance. The autism-vaccine controversy in the British and American elite press. Science Communication 30(1), 77-107. doi: 10.1177/1075547008320262 Clarke, C. E., Dixon, G. N., Holton, A., Weberling McKeever, B. (2014). Including “evidentiary balance” in news media coverage of vaccine risk. Health Communication 30(5), 461-472. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2013.867006 Dixon, G. N., & Clarke, C. E. (2012). Heightening uncertainty around certain science: Media coverage, false balance, and the autism-vaccine controversy. Science Communication, 35(3) 358-382. doi: 10.1177/1075547012458290 Westerståhl, J. (1983). Objective News Reporting General Premises. Communication Research, 10(3), 403-424. doi: 10.1177/009365083010003007

scholarly journals What about the Men? Gender Inequality Data and the Rhetoric of Inclusion in the US and UK Film Industries

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley Cobb
Keyword(s):  
Middle Class ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Film Industry ◽  
White Men ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
White Middle Class ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Status ◽  
Identity Category ◽  
Film Making

This article argues that cis, hetero, abled, middle-class, white men – as a group and as an identity category – are the structuring absence of inequality discourse and, as a consequence, it is ‘diverse’ persons who bear both the burden of and any hope for changing the film industry. By ‘re-reading’ gender inequality data, diversity initiatives and inclusion rhetoric, this article shows the ways in which they elide men's domination of the film industry and perversely reinforce it as the norm. Articulating how data on gender representation behind the camera can both illuminate inequality and be used to obfuscate it, the article looks closely at selected reports in order to see what they do and do not tell us about gender inequality and the unequal presence of men in the industry. As the dominating demographic of the film-making workforce, the white middle-class male is also the structuring absence of the inclusion rhetoric which maintains the status quo of inequality in the film industry by interpellating ‘diverse’ persons as outsiders who must gain the attention of the white middle-class men who may or may not choose to include them.

Rethinking the American Public

2020 ◽  
pp. 139-154
Author(s):  
Christopher Chávez
Keyword(s):  
Middle Class ◽  
Demographic Change ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Public Broadcasting ◽  
National Public Radio ◽  
Public Radio ◽  
White Middle Class ◽  
The Us ◽  
Civic Discourses

National Public Radio (NPR) was designed with two clear mandates: to engage listeners more directly in civic discourses and to represent the diversity of the nation. The degree to which NPR has delivered on these mandates has been a point of contention. Critics of NPR have argued that, by creating programming for white, middle-class boomers, NPR has consistently served an audience that is already inclined to engage civically. In recent years, however, profound demographic change has put NPR at odds with an American electorate that is becoming increasingly culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse. In this chapter, the author explores how NPR defines its ideal Latinx listener and the resources it invests in creating relevant programming for that listener. At 18 percent of the US population, Latinxs are becoming an increasingly important part of the American electorate that NPR is tasked with serving. Based on interviews with public radio practitioners and a review of NPR and Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) strategic documents, the author argues that NPR has defined its ideal Latinx listener in ways that are congruent with its current target-audience profile. Such targeting practices have important implications for who gets to participate in civic discourses and who is excluded.

scholarly journals Kratom Use in the US: Both a Regional Phenomenon and a White Middle-Class Phenomenon? Evidence From NSDUH 2019 and an Online Convenience Sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Rogers ◽  
Kirsten E. Smith ◽  
Justin C. Strickland ◽  
David H. Epstein
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
White Middle Class ◽  
The Us

Kratom products available in the United States are becoming increasingly diverse both in terms of content and in terms of how they are marketed. Prior survey research indicates that kratom has been primarily used in the US to self-treat anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue, and substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Kratom is also well-known for its use as a short- or long-term full opioid agonist substitute. Therefore, use may be greater in regions particularly impacted by addiction to prescription opioids. Use may also be greater in demographic groups targeted by media outlets (such as specific podcasts) in which kratom is touted. Here, we aimed to determine whether lifetime and past-year kratom use were associated with region of residence and with being young, White, post-secondary educated, and employed. To strengthen confidence in our findings, we analyzed data from two sources: our own crowdsourced online convenience sample and the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In our sample (N = 2,615), 11.1% reported lifetime and 6.7% reported past-year kratom use, and the odds of kratom use were higher among people who were White, younger, at least high school educated, employed, and above the poverty line, as well as those reporting nonmedical opioid use, past-year SUD, or lifetime SUD treatment; residence was not a significant predictor. In NSDUH data, suburban residence and other demographic factors, concordant with those from the crowdsourced sample, were associated with kratom use. Taken together, the findings support a general “White middle-class suburban” profile of the modal kratom user, but more research is needed to understand it. In the interim, focus should be on our finding that lifetime nonmedical opioid use was associated with an up to five times greater likelihood of past-year kratom use, suggesting that drug-use history may presently be the strongest predictor of kratom use.

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