By linking current print media reports citing local climate change in the Americas with scientific literature and data supporting the claim, a figurative "Map of Stories" is created. Each report becomes a "pin" on the map, indicating the place of the documented occurrence. For those climate change skeptics, this collection of "pins" will serve as an important source for their next counter-arguments, and for those of us with sense- a veritable library of climate change on a local scale.
Climate data from 1901-2012 was generated for each "pin" and analyzed to determine if there is a positive, negative or neutral correlation for a variety of climate variables (i.e. Mean Annual Temperature, Mean Annual Precipitation, etc.). Media accounts were also categorized into four main themes based on their content: temperature, precipitation, sea ice melt and ocean warming. By comparing the climate data with the theme of each "pin", we are able to determine if the story is reporting in truth, of an unrelated topic, or of climate change that is not supported by scientific data.
Project analysis is still in its early stage; however, preliminary statistics have been performed and are documented on this website. For better understanding, two examples of media accounts have been selected to explain analyses and research outcomes.
Climate data from 1901-2012 was generated for each "pin" and analyzed to determine if there is a positive, negative or neutral correlation for a variety of climate variables (i.e. Mean Annual Temperature, Mean Annual Precipitation, etc.). Media accounts were also categorized into four main themes based on their content: temperature, precipitation, sea ice melt and ocean warming. By comparing the climate data with the theme of each "pin", we are able to determine if the story is reporting in truth, of an unrelated topic, or of climate change that is not supported by scientific data.
Project analysis is still in its early stage; however, preliminary statistics have been performed and are documented on this website. For better understanding, two examples of media accounts have been selected to explain analyses and research outcomes.