Course: Sustainability Communication | OnCourse UB

  • Lection 3

    • Environmental and Sustainability Studies /Environmental Communication

    • This chapter primarily focuses on Environmental Studies, which explores human interactions with the environment and the relationships between humans and nature. It encompasses both the natural environment (including animals) and the 'built environment,' as well as the interplay between them. Furthermore, the chapter raises the question of who in society advocates for nature, as nature lacks its own voice and cannot speak on its own behalf. Finally, the chapter is concluded by highlighting that while there is extensive communication about environmental issues, there is insufficient discussion regarding tangible changes.

    • Further Reading 


      Climate Change Communication:

      • Nerlich, B., Koteyko, N., & Brown, B. (2010). Theory and language of climate change communication. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 1(1), 97-110.
      • Schäfer, M. S. (2012). Online communication on climate change and climate politics: a literature review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 3(6), 527-543
      • Schäfer, M. S., & O'Neill, S. (2017). Frame analysis in climate change communication. In Oxford research encyclopedia of climate science.
      • Brüggemann, M. (2017). Shifting roles of science journalists covering climate change. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Climate Science.
      • Schäfer, M. S., & O'Neill, S. (2017). Frame analysis in climate change communication. In Oxford research encyclopedia of climate science.

      Environmental Communication:

      • Davis, L., Fähnrich, B., Nepote, A. C., Riedlinger, M., & Trench, B. (2018). Environmental communication and science communication—conversations, connections and collaborations. Environmental Communication, 12(4), 431-437.

      • Anders Hansen and Robert Cox, (2015) The Routledge Handbook of Environment and Communication. London: Routledge.

      • Robert Cox and Phaedra C. Pezzullo (2016) Environmental Communication and the Public Sphere (4th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

      • Hansen, A. (2011). Communication, media and environment: Towards reconnecting research on the production, content and social implications of environmental communication. International Communication Gazette, 73(1-2), 7-25.

      • Cox, R. (2013). Environmental communication and the public sphere. Sage.

      • Hansen, A. (2019). Environmental Communication Research: Origins, development and new directions. In The Far Right and the Environment (pp. 38-53). Routledge.

      • Takahashi, B., Metag, J., Thaker, J., & Comfort, S. E. (Eds.). (2021). The Handbook of International Trends in Environmental Communication.

    • Further Information

      If you’re interested in those experts and networks, please have a look here: The International Environmental Communication Association offers a wonderful network – with academics, practitioners, artists and campaigners – and material, courses and blogposts, that keep you informed with the newest developments in Environmental and Sustainability Communication:

      And consider to become a (student) member! Any questions? Let me know: Franzisca.weder@gmail.com


      If you’re a communication scholar and interested to be connected even more: Check the International Communication Association, and here the Environmental Communication Division: https://www.icahdq.org/group/envirocomm

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