Choosing a dangerous limit for climate change: Public representations of the decision making process

► This paper presents a discourse analysis of public commentaries on the two degree dangerous limit. ► The limit is described as scientific fact in UK press and much NGO literature. ► NGO publications and popular science books argue limit helps communicate complex climate science. ► In presentations and interviews expert actors critical of scientific basis for two degree limit. ► Claims that limit important for communication undermined by quantity and quality of coverage.