What Counts in the Politics of Climate Change? Science, Scepticism and Emblematic Numbers

Abstract

Scientific data is frequently presented in climate policy in the form of targets, thresholds and other “emblematic numbers”. Emblematic numbers provide putatively accurate, easily graspable units of comparison. Their use, however, belies the complexity of climate change and scientific data and threatens to mask the political decisions that operate behind them. Those interested in disrupting policymaking are able to expose and exploit this masked politicisation. This contribution unpicks the ambiguous politics of emblematic numbers. A Qualitative Content Analysis of the 2015 NIPCC report reveals the tactics of a climate change denial organisation to target the politics behind “97%” and “95%”. The contribution thus highlights a serious dilemma: to streamline policymaking by using emblematic numbers or to avoid the risks created by using them.