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Challenging dominant discourses of climate change

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  • Aysha Fleming
  • Frank Vanclay
  • Claire Hiller
  • Stephen Wilson

Abstract

The influence of language on communication about climate change is well recognised, but this understanding is under-utilised by those seeking to increase uptake of action for climate change. We discuss the terms, discourse, resistance, and agency, to assist in developing ways to progress social action for climate change. Using a review of academic literature about climate change, we explore three of the many dominant discourses that constrain action: the logical action discourse; the complexity discourse; and the culture of consumption discourse. While there are more discourses about climate change, especially in the popular literature, the ways these three operate in the peri-scientific sphere is under-recognised. We suggest that by examining the different framings of climate change, there is potential to create novel discourses and to start new processes of societal response. This paper challenges the dominant scientific framing of climate change and seeks to begin the process of creating change through changing discourses. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Aysha Fleming & Frank Vanclay & Claire Hiller & Stephen Wilson, 2014. "Challenging dominant discourses of climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 407-418, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:127:y:2014:i:3:p:407-418
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-014-1268-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Fleming, Aysha & Vanclay, Frank, . "Using Discourse Analysis to Improve Extension Practice," Extension Farming Systems Journal - EFS Journal, Australasian Farm Business Management Network, vol. 5(1).
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    Cited by:

    1. Rebecca J. Romsdahl, 2020. "Deliberative framing: opening up discussions for local-level public engagement on climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(2), pages 145-163, September.
    2. Aysha Fleming & Claire Mason & Gillian Paxton, 2018. "Discourses of technology, ageing and participation," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Abosede Ijabadeniyi & Frank Vanclay, 2020. "Socially-Tolerated Practices in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Reporting: Discourses, Displacement, and Impoverishment," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Olve Krange & Bjørn P. Kaltenborn & Martin Hultman, 2021. "“Don’t confuse me with facts”—how right wing populism affects trust in agencies advocating anthropogenic climate change as a reality," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Ulrike Meinel & Karl-Michael Höferl, 2017. "Non-Adaptive Behavior in the Face of Climate Change: First Insights from a Behavioral Perspective Based on a Case Study among Firm Managers in Alpine Austria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-18, June.

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