This work covers the time from the first indications of El Nino (May 1997) until its reversal (June 1998). The focus is largely on the United States, where El Nino produced widespread changes in how the public perceives weather, and in the accuracy of forecasts.
This book will cover the time span from the first indicaitons of El
Nino (May 1997) until its reversal (June 1998). The focus is largely
on the United States, where El Nino produced widespread changes in how
the public perceives weather and in the accuracy of forecasts. Among
the key issues examined are how the news media interpreted and
dramatized El Nino and the reaction both of the public and
decision-makers (the latter based on interviews with agribusiness,
utilities, water management agencies, etc.); the scientific issues
emerging from the event; and the social and economic consequences of
the event. Finally, it will suggest what can and should be done when
El Nino occurs in the future.
The title of this work reflects its focus on the media's coverage of the 'event' that was El Nino. Highlighting the 14 months when it became a nationally known news story, the book explores both meteorological topics (causes, forecasting, relation to global warming) and socioeconomic perspectives (storm damage, media hype, energy production and use). This is an accessible work that will appeal to students, professors, policy-makers, and weather enthusiasts.
