POLITICAL DISCOURSES

• There are many environmental ‘issues’ – things to do with our

natural world that aren’t working the way they should be.

• Of course, there are solutions to these issues, they are just not

really that simple to put in place in real life.

EG – unsustainable population. Solution – stop having kids! Not

that easy in real life – complex issue.

• ‘Discourses’ – conversations about these issues are what

occurs between the issue and the solution. These can either

clarify the issue, and find solutions, or make it harder to find

solutions.

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

• Climate Change, loss of biodiversity, species

extinctions, deforestation, unsustainable population, food

security, water security.

• All of these issues are created, at least in part, by humans.

• Changes in human behaviour is what will solve these problems.

• Current practices have caused these issues, so CHANGES in

behaviour and society are required to solve them.

• CHANGE IS HARD.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

• KNOWLEDGE (Clarity) of problem. This is what we need

scientists for.

• KNOWLEDGE of what to do. Also need scientists for this.

• WILL to inact these changes. Most, if not all of these changes

will involve COSTS to people now.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

• Political Discourses – complex discussions about the issue..

• Vested interests – people who will be better or worse off if

changes are enacted?

• Me Me, Me, Me – everyone thinks about themselves first –

How will these changes affect me?

• Vested interests appealing to people wants, needs, desires.– not

trying to clarify the issue, trying to make people view from

their perspective.

WHAT HAPPENS?

Climate change.

• What is required to fix issue as soon as possible? – Complete

end to

• Coal industry has vested interests – will lose their industry –

jobs, profits etc.

• Coal industry will try as hard as they can to convince people

that their lives will be terrible if their industry shuts down –

some will be true and some will be made up.

EXAMPLE

• A discourse is affected by peoples values as well as their

knowledge.

• An increase in objective knowledge will increase the clarity of

an issue – make it easier to see the solution.

• People talking about an issue by using their values is usually

likely to make the issue more complicated.

• Does this type of discussion clarify or complicate the issue?

WHAT’S THE ISSUE?