Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-11-2024
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Croft Institute for International Studies
First Advisor
Nora Sylvander
Second Advisor
Joshua Hendrickson
Third Advisor
Kenneth Negy
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
With climate change posing an imminent threat to our planet, it has become an ever more prominent question as to how we can curve the effects of it. One of the most popular proposed solutions to curb emissions is renewable energy. With solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy sources, we could rely on energy sources that produce zero emissions. However, it has become a hotly debated issue in the media, especially in the United States. What my research does is examine and unpack themes in the rhetoric of conservative-leaning media outlets that speak against renewable energy, examine the potential economic benefits of renewable energy that have been noted in our country and in Germany, and then compare our renewable energy situation and progress to that in Germany. This research finds that there are indeed rhetorical criticisms from conservative news outlets that could affect public opinion of renewable energy, despite my research finding economic benefits to sustainability transitions, and that America could indeed benefit from them, despite the claims of news outlets in America.
Recommended Citation
Cunningham, Sean T., "Politicization and Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy" (2024). Honors Theses. 3064.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3064
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