Traffic in the media. Competing visions from electric cars to a car free future
Liikenne mediassa. Kilpailevat tulevaisuudet sahkoautosta autottomuuteen
This study, based on an analysis of Finnish news media, indicates that the different alternatives for oil dependent transport play a significant role in the energy debate. The study shows that the media discourse holds contested visions of the future and diverging arguments for various transport solutions and their energy use. The analysis covers energy-related articles in five Finnish news papers (Helsingin Sanomat, Kauppalehti, Talouselama, Tekniikka & Talous and Vihrea Lanka) during the period of 1.10.-31.12.2009. New technologies, such as electric vehicles and biofuels, challenge the role of predominant oil-dependent car. The need for change is mostly justified by the high level of carbon emissions of personal transportation. The most powerful vision is based on the carbon-free personal automobile. Especially the role of electric vehicles is highlighted as entailing both economic and environmental benefits. The analysis of the media debate shows that changes in transport behavior (e.g. through limited range of electric cars) are viewed as only temporary problems, and that technological development is expected to solve them in time. The strong focus on a limited set of transport visions influences political decisions as well as private and public investments. It also constrains the future prospects of other alternatives. Media data offer a good possibility to analyze how different visions are constructed and how some of them gain more support. This study combines the discourse analytical research method with a socio-technical system perspective. It hereby offers a new approach to the study of the dynamics of path dependence and path creation. This report may be found at http://www.ymparisto.fi/download.asp?contentid=122507&lan=fi
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9789521137938
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Authors:
- RINKINEN, J
- Publication Date: 2010
Language
- Finnish
Media Info
- Pagination: 59p
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Serial:
- SUOMEN YMPARISTO, THE FINNISH ENVIRONMET
- Issue Number: 21/2010
- Publisher: FINNISH ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE (SYKE)
- ISSN: 1238-7312
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Electric vehicles; Energy
- Geographic Terms: Finland
- ITRD Terms: 1282: Electric vehicle; 213: Energy; 8035: Finland
- Subject Areas: Energy; I15: Environment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01334372
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Finnish Transport Agency
- ISBN: 978-952-11-3793-8
- Files: ITRD
- Created Date: Mar 28 2011 2:37PM