Mapping the climate sceptical blogosphere

Abstract

While mainstream scientific knowledge production has been extensively examined in the academic literature, comparatively little is known about alternative networks of scientific knowledge production. Online sources such as blogs are an especially under-investigated site of knowledge contestation. Using degree centrality and node betweenness tests from social network analysis, and thematic content analysis of individual posts, this research identifies and critically examines the climate sceptical blogosphere and investigates whether a focus on particular themes contributes to the positioning of the most central blogs. A network of 171 individual blogs is identified, with three blogs in particular found to be the most central: Climate Audit, JoNova and Watts Up With That. These blogs predominantly focus on the scientific element of the climate debate, providing either a direct scientifically-based challenge to mainstream climate science, or a critique of the conduct of the climate science system. This overt scientific framing, as opposed to explicitly highlighting differences in values, politics, or ideological worldview, appears to be an important contributory factor in the positioning of the most central blogs. It is suggested that these central blogs are key protagonists in a process of attempted expert knowledge de-legitimisation and contestation, acting not only as translators between scientific research and lay audiences, but, in their reinterpretation of existing climate science knowledge claims, are acting themselves as alternative public sites of expertise for a climate sceptical audience.

Climate stories: Why do climate scientists and sceptical voices participate in the climate debate?

“…The semi-structured approach of the interview enabled interviewees to reflect on the markers they had placed on the spectrum representing both their own views and those of the dominant other. Individuals from the 'list of sceptics 'mentioned' more than once in 10 UK national newspapers' (Painter, 2011) 4 UK-based blog authors from Sharman (2014) 4 Involved with the activities of the GWPF e.g. Academic Advisory Council or published on GWPF website 3 22 Participating CSs' specialisms included climate modelling and climate physics, with all participating in public engagement activities such as public speaking or blogging.…”

The Dynamics of Issue Attention in Online Communication on Climate Change

“…Although climate change is particularly a science topic online, a huge diversity of topics can be found (Collins, 2013;Koteyko, 2010;Koteyko, Thelwall, & Nerlich, 2010;Ladle, Jepson, & Whittaker, 2005;Pearce, Holmberg, Hellsten, & Nerlich, 2014;Sharman, 2014)-especially on laypeople's platforms (Lörcher & Taddicken, 2015). This may be explained by the variety of platforms and stakeholders online, such as scientists, laypersons, journalists, politicians, companies and NGOs (M. Schäfer, 2012).…”

Post-decisional logics of inaction: The influence of knowledge controversy in climate policy decision-making

“…postadoption implementation of flagship policy) domestic policy decisions made about climate change. They were also asked about other actors, considerations and rationales influencing * Including 20 interviewees classified as sceptical voices identified from Sharman (2014) and Painter (2011).…”