Environmental diplomacy: from transnational policies to the role of ambassadors – the contribution of David Attenborough (2018–2020)

IF 3.1 Q1 COMMUNICATION Journal of Communication Management Pub Date : 2022-08-26 DOI:10.1108/jcom-04-2022-0030
Sonia Pedro Sebastiao, Isabel Soares
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Abstract

PurposeThe concept of environmental diplomacy appears associated with events (conventions) promoted between states and transnational organisations to discuss aspects related to regulating the use of natural resources and regulating pollution. In this study, the authors intend to highlight the contribution brought to environmental diplomacy by leading television figure David Attenborough and his focus on the destruction of biodiversity by humans (the problem). It is intended to analyse the frames of his public interventions, comparing them with the prevailing frames in the UNFCCC policies.Design/methodology/approachA predominantly inductive method of qualitative and interpretative nature is used. In epistemological terms, the framing analysis stems from a social constructivist perspective. A theoretical model for frame analysis was defined by combining the frameworks proposed by Entman (1993) and Semetko and Valkenburg (2000) and considering previous studies (Anholt, 2015; Seelig, 2019). Analysis scrutinised a two-fold corpus comprising articles regarding actions and statements by David Attenborough published in The Guardian between 2018 and 2020, and the UN's legal framework for climate change.FindingsThe most prominent frames regarding climate crisis in transnational policies are responsibilities. Attenborough's calls for action highlight the frames of “morality”, “responsibilities” and “problems”. However, it is necessary to make a distinction between the discourse used in transnational treaties and that by Attenborough. In the former, discourse is more technical and impersonal, presented in a structure of legal diplomas and barely accessible to the public. In contrast, Attenborough's speech is more emotional, appealing and sometimes dramatic. His message is transmitted straightforwardly to the public in a pedagogical, personal tone.Social implicationsThe choice of high-profile personalities like David Attenborough as ambassadors has implications in the visibility of the environmental cause, and in the multiplication of initiatives that denounce environmental degradation.Originality/valueThis study explores and analyses the narrative construct regarding climate change as carried out by a trusted and respected media voice. The authors intend to contribute to understanding the amplification role of public figures in controversial issues and diplomatic matters. The main contribution of this study is to highlight the strategic nature of the choice of SDA by political powers to voice the drama of climate emergency.
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环境外交:从跨国政策到大使的作用——大卫·爱登堡的贡献(2018-2020)
目的环境外交的概念似乎与国家和跨国组织之间推动的活动(公约)有关,这些活动旨在讨论与监管自然资源使用和监管污染有关的方面。在这项研究中,作者打算强调著名电视人物大卫·爱登堡对环境外交的贡献,以及他对人类破坏生物多样性(这个问题)的关注。其目的是分析他的公共干预框架,并将其与《气候公约》政策中的现行框架进行比较。设计/方法论/方法主要采用定性和解释性的归纳方法。从认识论的角度来看,框架分析源于社会建构主义的视角。通过结合Entman(1993)、Semetko和Valkenburg(2000)提出的框架,并考虑以前的研究,定义了框架分析的理论模型(Anholt,2015;Seelig,2019)。分析仔细审查了一个双重语料库,其中包括2018年至2020年间发表在《卫报》上的大卫·爱登堡的行动和声明文章,以及联合国应对气候变化的法律框架。跨国政策中关于气候危机最突出的框架是责任。阿滕伯勒的行动呼吁突出了“道德”、“责任”和“问题”的框架。然而,有必要区分跨国条约中使用的话语和爱登堡的话语。在前者中,话语更具技术性和非个人性,以法律文凭的结构呈现,几乎不为公众所知。相比之下,阿滕伯勒的演讲更具情感,更有吸引力,有时甚至更具戏剧性。他的信息以一种教育性的、个人化的口吻直接传达给公众。社会影响选择大卫·爱登堡等知名人士担任大使,对环境事业的知名度和谴责环境退化的举措的多样性都有影响。独创性/价值本研究探讨和分析了一个值得信赖和尊重的媒体声音对气候变化的叙事结构。作者打算帮助理解公众人物在有争议的问题和外交事务中的放大作用。本研究的主要贡献是强调政治大国选择SDA来表达气候紧急情况的战略性质。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
5.40
自引率
6.50%
发文量
29
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