Metaphors in Online Editorials and Op-Eds about Climate Change, 2006–2013

Print and online media are widely acknowledged and examined as key sources shaping public understanding of climate science and increasingly the political, economic, and social implications of climate change. This chapter discusses the most frequently used climate-change-related metaphors in editorials and op-eds from three countries that are key to the climate change negotiations. Similar to another form of persuasive writing—political speeches—editorials/op-eds are intended not only to disseminate information but also to influence beliefs and attitudes. Newspapers often endorse candidates in upcoming elections in editorials, and, thus, they can be seen (together with op-eds) as a form of writing that clearly communicates the kinds of values, cultural beliefs, and ideologies increasingly relevant to climate change understanding. The chapter contributes to the overall goal of establishing "whether metaphor use can reflect or perhaps influence" how climate change is responded to, while also addressing calls for more comparative research on climate-change-related metaphors.