Climate risk perception and media framing

• Published in: RAUSP management journal Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 247 - 262
• Main Authors: Brito, Renata Peregrino de, Miguel, Priscila Laczynski de Souza, Pereira, Susana Carla Farias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: São Paulo Emerald Group Publishing Limited 28-04-2020; Universidade de São Paulo; Emerald Publishing
• Subjects: BUSINESS; Civil society; Climate change; Cognition & reasoning; Disasters; Emergency preparedness; Environmental impact; extreme weather events; Hurricanes; Information sources; Media coverage; Perceptions; Population; risk management; risk perception; Supply chains; Brazil; United States > US; Climate change; Risk perception; Risk management; Extreme weather events; Media coverage
• ISSN: 2531-0488; 2531-0488
• DOI: 10.1108/RAUSP-09-2018-0082

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the media coverage of the impact of extreme weather events (EWE) and related risk management activities in Brazil.Design/methodology/approachUsing a documentary analysis, the authors examined the media coverage of droughts and floods from 2003 to 2013 with concomitant official reports.FindingsThe results indicate that although media coverage conveys the direct impact of floods and droughts on society, it underemphasizes the importance of risk management activities. Moreover, the private sector rarely engages in risk management and mitigation activities, despite the documented supply chain disruptions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses solely on media coverage as provided by wide-circulation newspaper in Brazil and would benefit by being extended to all media platforms.Practical implicationsThe results highlight the need for private sector involvement in risk management activities to facilitate the adaptation to climate change.Social implicationsThe study reveals the deficiency of existing reports and lack of awareness regarding EWE.Originality/valueThe study contributes by focusing on climate awareness and how society can adapt to climate change, as well as how businesses can improve supply chain operations to facilitate smoother risk management.