Transport discussion amidst climate challenges: Analysing student, media, and expert framings through the environmental protection process model

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Transport and environment, 2013-10, Vol.24, p.10-16
• Main Authors: Varho, Vilja, Nygrén, Nina A., Lyytimäki, Jari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Climate change; Environmental protection process; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Newspaper content analysis; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Public perceptions; Transports
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2013.05.001

•The transport environmental debate is studied through media, expert, and student discourses.•A holistic framework of environmental problems is employed.•Long-term environmental implications of traffic policies remain obscure in discussion. The article examines media representations and views of experts and high school students on the future of transport with a particular focus on its implications for emissions of greenhouse gases. Focusing on Finland, it explores which key features and boundary conditions related to the climate policies of transport are framed as important or negligible. The analysis was based on the comprehensive environmental protection process model. Results show that the need for radical change was recognised both by students and experts but at the same time, rather cynical views regarding the possibilities to achieve these changes were presented by the media, experts, and students. Long-term impacts and visions were underrepresented in discussions, with the focus being mainly on short-term concerns and incremental changes.