After watching How Did Climate Change Become Such an Issue for 2020? consider the question(s) below. Then “submit” your response.
1. According to this video, what factors may have contributed to presidential candidates’ increased focus on climate policies during the 2020 election season?
2. Discuss the role of the media in driving the conversation around election issues, such as the environment. In addition to the topics covered in these video activities, what issues has the media spotlighted in advance of the 2020 election? Are there other issues that you believe the media has not covered in enough depth? Please explain.
3. Do you believe that increased public awareness of an issue, such as climate change, causes increased media coverage of that issue, or that increased media coverage leads to increased public awareness—or perhaps that both of these are true? Discuss the relationship between public consumers and media companies, including how much of a role both parties play in setting the agenda for election issues.