Stuck in the tar? The implications of Canadian mainstream news media representations of a just [energy] transition from Alberta's bitumen sands

Abstract: Alberta’s Tar Sands are one of the most environmentally and socially destructive fossil fuel projects on Earth. Socio-political resistance or acceptance will determine the Tar Sands’ future: whether production continues or whether it is phased out to ensure meaningful climate action in Canada. I examined how news media communicates a “Just Transition” from the Tar Sands and proposed that their written formulations have wider social implications. My analysis revealed that news media framed the Tar Sands as being part of Canada’s future energy landscape with a techno-corporate-managerial role in the energy ‘transition’. Additionally, news media failed to discuss the Just Transition in a meaningful way. The implications are climate misconceptions and Just Transition illiteracy, foreclosing the opportunity to inform the public on transformative solutions, which could risk public acceptance of climate action. My findings raise questions on the news media’s role going forward and broader issues of climate communication.