ABSTRACT
This chapter explores challenges that are faced in the mass media's portrayal of anthropogenic climate change. Specifically, it delineates how United States (US) media representational practices have depicted conflict rather than coherence regarding scientific explanations of anthropogenic climate change over time. The chapter outlines how the convergent views within science regarding anthropogenic climate change have been depicted as contentious when reported through US mass media, giving an appearance of increased uncertainty and debate'. It briefly explains that these challenges have increased contentions at the interface of science and policy, and have been detrimental to ongoing discourse on policy action regarding climate change. The chapter outlines the socio-political as well as bio-physical factors that challenge accurate media reporting on anthropogenic climate change, with a focus on the US top emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), producing approximately 25 per cent of GHGs worldwide with just 4 per cent of the world's population.
