Media and Climate Change: A Content Analysis Study on Extreme Weather Events and the Link to Climate Change in News Coverage

Considering the global sense of urgency to curb carbon emissions, the role of the media in informing the public is significant. Research shows that news stories have a significant amount of influence on the public’s perceptions of the scientific veracity of climate change. Nevertheless, news portrayal of extreme weather events may not associate climate change with a particular weather event. This study seeks to understand in detail how extreme weather events are framed and covered in the news. In doing so through content analysis, this inductive study will analyze terminology that news organizations utilize to describe extreme weather events and their connection to climate change. News outlets and their efforts to communicate threats associated with extreme weather events and climate change may yield more proactive responses from the public. Building on previous studies, this project examines media coverage of extreme weather events and the link made to climate change through a content analysis of web media.