Ecological Footprints in transnational media

In: Petersen , L K 2013 ' Ecological Footprints in transnational media ' .

Abstract

Der måles, registreres og overvåges. Vandkvalitet, biologisk mangfoldighed, undervisningskvalitet, økonomisk vækst, korruption, sundhed og lykke er blot nogle få af de områder af menneske- og samfundslivet der gøres til genstand for registreringer, også kaldet indikatorer, der som mere eller mindre synlige og mere eller mindre effektive agenter farer rundt i den politiske proces, fra de administrative apparaters planlægning af direktiver til broadcast-mediernes rapporter om hvilke lande der ligger højst eller lavest på alle listerne over korruption, uddannelsesniveau, bruttonationalprodukt, CO2-udledning etc. Dette paper udspringer af et større EU-projekt om indikatorers rolle i politik og administration (Policy Influence of Indicators), og det beskæftiger sig med den indikator der går under betegnelsen Økologisk Fodspor og dens rolle i politiske processer på EU-plan. Hvordan fungerer Det Økologiske Fodspor som vidensteknologisk genstand, hvordan bliver den repræsenteret i en transnational og EU-orienteret offentlighed, og hvordan er den gennem disse repræsentationer forbundet med EU-politiske aktører? ; Like all sorts of states and developments of the natural and social world are measured, surveyed, and indexed so is sustainable development made the object of measurements and inscribed into indicators. Indicators are an integral part of policy processes and public communication from anonymous planning in administrative bodies to broadcast media reporting how countries are ranked in the newest index of corruption, wealth, or happiness. The question this paper rises is how sustainable development indicators, and more specifically the Ecological Footprint is represented and at work in public media. An actor-network theoretical approach is applied, according to which indicators are viewed as non-material objects. Indicators are carriers of agency and through their appearance in media they connect to other fields of agency. The agency that emanates from the Ecological Footprint seems mainly to connect to the formation of public sentiments regarding planetary problems, consumer habits, and global equity, whereas its connections to policy making - through its media appearances - are rather weak.