Historical Overview
Chinese media coverage of global climate change has become increasingly prominent; its growth described in three distinct phases: before and after the release of the February 2007 IPCC report, and later in the discussion and analysis of the Paris Agreement (particularly focusing on China’s role in curbing emissions, and its relation to the United States as a partner and competitor).
In China, the vast majority of media is state-controlled, subjected to critical analysis, and often prone to censorship. Therefore, until 2006 China’s coverage of climate change—a sensitive topic—was minimal, and took the form of matter-of-fact translations from Western scientific reports with little to no comment or discussion. Moreover, few articles made direct links between Chinese carbon emissions and the greenhouse effect or climate change. As a result, public awareness of environmental issues was generally low. The release of the IPCC Working Group I Report on 2 February 2007 in Paris, along with official statements acknowledging climate change, generated a prevalent willingness, from the state and media, to engage in, report, and publicly interpret issues dealing with climate change. Within the months that followed, environmental journalism bloomed and became integrated in all of China’s major news services, featuring global environmental news, as well as exposing local problems through unique stories. Although coverage of climate change has been encouraged by the state, discussions that critically analyze government policies remain rare and controversial; therefore factories and companies bare the greatest focus of criticism. The last phase of climate change coverage started in anticipation of the COP21 Climate Summit in Paris, where China’s government further encouraged the coverage of negotiations, particularly its leading role with the United States in negotiating and setting agreements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the upcoming years. Further discussion has continued as President Trump’s position on climate change now threatens the relationships set by former President Obama.
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Broadcast Media
CCTV (China Central Television) is the official state television broadcaster for the People’s Republic of China carries the Communist Party voice.
Content Sample:
New study calls for action to make stagnant carbon dioxide emissions fall
Contact: Editor: Wang Lingxiao, Published: 31 Jan. 2017
http://english.cctv.com/2017/01/31/ARTIXlcxuo2meOybjRBbYD7S170131.shtml
The new study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, warns that without accelerated deployment of technologies for capturing and storing atmospheric carbon, along with a sustained growth in renewables, allowing for a total reduction in greenhouse gases, the world could miss the target of remaining below 2 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels, set by the Paris Agreement. Wind and solar are thought to be ‘insufficient’ to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and are dependent on the slower-than-expected release of carbon capture and storage technology.
Print Media
Xinhua News Agency is the official press agency of the People’s Republic of China and is the biggest, most influential media organization in the country. It is a state-controlled institution. Its president, Mr. Ju Mengjun, is a member of the Central Committee of China’s Communist Party.
Content Sample:
Link to Climate Change Topics: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/environment.html
Warming temperatures projected to trigger starvation in deep oceans by 2100
Published: 24 Feb. 2017
20 scientists of the world’s leading oceanographic research centers published a new study warning that the deep ocean floor may face starvation by 2100 as a result of drastic ecological change caused by warming ocean temperatures, increased acidification, and low oxygen zones. The earth system models used to predict the deep ocean temperatures in areas show changes between 0.5 to 4 degrees Celsius across regions. The increase in temperature will increase the metabolic rates of organisms, meaning they will require more food, and with it less available, will face starvation. The North Atlantic is predicted to face the greatest changes first.
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Prominent Environmental Reporter: Ni Yuanjin
Online Media
Chinadialogue is an independent organization dedicated to promoting a common understanding of China’s urgent environmental challenges. The non-profit website, launched in July 2003, is funded by a range of institutional supporters and is based in Beijing and London.
EU and China can outflank Trump on Climate Change
Published: 17 Feb. 2017; By: Li Shuo and Maeve McLynn
https://www.chinadialogue.net/blog/9614-EU-and-China-can-outflank-Trump-on-climate-change/en
In anticipation for this year’s G20 summit in Bonn, China has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action, looking to the EU as a partner to fill the political void left by the US under President Donald Trump. Last year’s G20 summit brought the US and China to jointly ratify the Paris Agreement, stimulating ratification for the rest of the world and demonstrating that political resources are powerful, and necessary, to advancing climate cooperation. China urges the EU to bring climate action to the forefront of their political agenda and to act as joint collaborators with China in spearheading mitigation strategies.
Roundtable: How will countries respond if the US withdraws from Paris?
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Tel: (+44) (0)20 7324 4767
Prominent Environmental Reporter: Shi Yi