2. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
• 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.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
• 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.
4. WHAT DO WE NEED?
• 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.
5. WHAT HAPPENS?
• 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.
6. EXAMPLE
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.
7. WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
• 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?
