A sociology of environmental representation

Abstract

A sociology of environmental representation.Environmental Sociology, 2(4): [355][356][357][358][359][360][361][362][363][364] http://dx.doi.org/10. 1080/23251042.2016.1213611 Access to the published version may require subscription. N.B. When citing this work, cite the original published paper. The environment cannot plead its own case but must be represented. The aim of this paper is to elaborate on the concept of representation and demonstrate its relevance for environmental sociology. Drawing on Pitkin's classic work on representation, we discuss representation as both 'acting for' and 'standing for'. We also make a distinction between actors (representatives) and devices used as representations (e.g. descriptions, graphs and images), while discussing the intertwinement of these two aspects in representative practices. This paper stresses the performativity dimension and social embeddedness of representative practices. It sheds light on different meanings and implications of environmental representation, examining issues of claimmaking and what it means to represent the environment in various instances. Given the complex, durable and transboundary character of many topical environmental problems, the paper argues that it is essential to recognize and understand environmental representation in all its variety. It is moreover argued that a sociological elaboration of the concept of representation provides a basis for understanding the conditions for environmental politics, governance, management and action. Environmental sociology can thus be a crucial platform for intriguing new studies on environmental representation.

Journalism’s visual construction of place in environmental coverage

“…Through images, people are able to decipher complex phenomena and relationships (Hall, 1997). However, media scholars argue that, in the case of the environment, imagery tends to be used not to help people understand the underlying science behind issues but instead to act as a persuasive device (Born, 2019;Boström & Uggla, 2016;Hansen, 2018). Boykoff (2011), for example, drew attention to the fact that climate change imagery-a subset of environmental imagery-tends to reflect Western liberalism and personal responsibility at the expense of other conflicting values that may lead to different perceptions of the issue.…”

“…Boykoff (2011), for example, drew attention to the fact that climate change imagery-a subset of environmental imagery-tends to reflect Western liberalism and personal responsibility at the expense of other conflicting values that may lead to different perceptions of the issue. Other scholars note a more broad device used in depictions of the environment as a whole: that of Romantic and pristine wilderness, free of human impact and indeed of any people at all-obfuscating the fact that people and environment cannot be separated so easily (Boström & Uggla, 2016;Hansen & Machin, 2013). This visual rhetorical device has been used throughout American history.…”

Conditions for Transformative Learning for Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Review and Approach

“…How people cope with their ambivalence most probably influences whether they will change their actions in a more sustainable direction or not [152]. Given the abstract and distant character of many sustainability problems, art and literature can be utilized to spark inner conflicts and emotions such as empathy, worry and moral outrage [153,154]. These conflicts and emotions can then be used as constructive forces in the learning process, but as with ambivalence people may cope with upsetting emotions in ways that stifles learning and lead to inaction, distancing and denial [117,155,156].…”

Affect, risk and local politics of knowledge: changing land use in Narrabri, NSW

“…As per the risk society thesis, this leads to a widespread view that science does not create consensus or 'truth'. Rather, understandings, negotiations and manipulations of scientific knowledge are bound up with politics, PR and spin, which is intensified in the era of 'post-truth' politics (Lockie 2017), and where the environment cannot represent itself, but is presented through an array of performative devices such as speeches, graphs, statistics and images (Boström and Uggla 2016). Narrabri Shire residents who feel that their livelihoods and lifestyles are threatened by the extractive industries, and even those who claim relative neutrality, position those very industries through this kind of lens.…”