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Social media and disasters: human security, environmental racism, and crisis communication in Hurricane Irma response
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 21:03 authored by Benjamin SovacoolBenjamin Sovacool, Xiaojng Xu, Gerardo Zarazua de Rubens, Chien-fei ChenSocial media has been widely recognized as key communication channel in disaster situations. However, there is limited empirical investigation on how the intersecting issues of social order, environmental impacts, and crisis communication unfold from the perspective of a social media user. This study examines 60,449 tweets to and from the news media in Florida during and immediately after Hurricane Irma in September, 2017. Based on a critical review of the literature coupled with an eight-category coding scheme (including second-hand reporting, reporting on self-experience, requesting help, coordinating relief efforts, and expressing well wishes), the article assesses the content and timing of tweets before, during, and after the storm. It finds that thematically, twitter coverage not only covers the storm itself but pressing social issues such as looting, price gouging, the privileging of elites in rebuilding efforts, environmental vulnerability, and abandoning pets. Temporally, the volume of different tweets peaked and dropped at different stages; for example, tweets about personal experience peaked when the hurricane hit the ground while requests for help peaked in the days after the hurricane. The study allows for a better understanding of the sociological, environmental, and even social justice impacts and related disaster response through the use of social media.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Environmental SociologyISSN
2325-1042Publisher
Taylor & FrancisExternal DOI
Page range
1-16Department affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- The Sussex Energy Group Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2020-04-07First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-10-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2020-04-06Usage metrics
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