The Sustainability Communication Reader: A Reflective Compendium

✍ Scribed by Franzisca Weder (editor), Larissa Krainer (editor), Matthias Karmasin (editor)

• Publisher: Springer VS
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 592
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The Textbook seeks for an innovative approach to Sustainability Communication as transdisciplinary area of research. Following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which are intended to transform the world as it is known, we seek for a multidisciplinary discussion of the role communication plays in realizing these goals. With complementing theoretical approaches and concepts, the book offers various perspectives on communication practices and strategies on an individual, organizational, institutional, as well as public level that contribute, enable (or hinder) sustainable development. Presented case studies show methodological as well as issue specific challenges in sustainability communication. Therefore, the book introduces and promotes innovative methods for this specific area of research.

✦ Table of Contents

The Sustainability Communication Reader
Preface
Contents
Contributors
1 Sustainability Communication as Critical Perspective in Media and Communication Studies—an Introduction
1 Introduction
2 Sustainability—More Than a Buzz Word in the ‘roaring 20ies’?
3 Communication Barriers and Background Noise
4 The Chapters of the Reader
References
Teil I Communicating about and for Sustainability in a Digital Age
2 Communicating Sustainability. Some Thoughts and Recommendations for Enhancing Sustainability Communication
1 Sustainability, SDGs and Sustainability Science
2 Challenges, Communication and Engagement—From Communicating Information to Engaging in Dialogue
3 Public Engagement
4 Sustainability Communication
5 Reflective Questions
References
3 Sustainability in Environmental Communication Research: Emerging Trends and Future Challenges
1 Introduction
2 A Brief History of Sustainability in Environmental Communication Research
3 Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Environmental Communication Research
4 Impacts of Digitisation, Globalisation and Intensified Consumerism on the Field
5 Mediatization and the Rise of a New Attention Economy
6 Ecological Impact of Communication Systems
7 Conclusion: Future Challenges for Sustainability Communication Research
8 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
4 Post-political Communication and Sustainability
1 Introduction
2 Climate Change and the Post-Political
3 Sustainable Capitalism?
4 Conclusion
5 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
5 Transition or Transformation? The Mediated Meanings of Sustainability
1 Sustainability as a Mediated Concept
2 Sustainability as a Balance to Restore
3 Sustainability as a Complex Problem to Solve
4 Sustainability as a Felt Relation to the World
5 Sustainability as a Social Imaginary
6 Transition or Transformation?
7 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
6 The Why and How for Storytelling: The TNT Approach Applied to Sustainability Communication
1 Introduction
2 A Short Narrative about Storytelling and Sustainability Communication
3 Unpacking the Transmedia Narrative Transportation (TNT) Approach
4 Transmedia Storytelling
5 Narrative Transportation Theory
6 The TNT Approach
7 Transition Network: Sustainability Communication in Action
8 Conclusion
9 Reflective Questions
References
7 Sustainability as Master Frame of the Future? Potency and Limits of Sustainability as Normative Framework in Corporate, Political and NGO Communication
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Approach
3 Methodological Considerations
4 Findings
5 Discussion
6 Reflective Questions
References
Teil I Dimensions and Formats of Sustainability Communication
8 Fictional Narratives for Environmental Sustainability Communication
1 Fictional Narratives About Environmental Sustainability
2 Research on Audience Effects of Fictional Stories and Environmental Sustainability
2.1 Audience Effects of Climate Change Disaster Narratives
2.2 Audience Effects of Environmental Preservation Narratives
2.3 Audience Effects of Entertainment-Education Sustainability Narratives
2.4 Summary: Audience Effects of Sustainability Narratives
3 Models and Mechanisms of Narrative Effects of Sustainability Stories
3.1 The Transportation Imagery Model
3.2 The Model of Narrative Comprehension and Engagement
3.3 Extended Elaboration Likelihood Model (E-ELM)
3.4 Vicarious Experience and Simulation
3.5 Summary: Models and Mechanisms of Narrative Effects of Sustainability Stories
4 Conclusions
5 Reflective Questions
References
9 The Challenge of Imagining Sustainable Futures: Climate Fiction in Sustainability Communication
1 Introduction
2 Approach
3 Imagining Sustainable Futures
4 Ecotopia
5 Sustainability Transitions
6 Climate Fiction
7 Mitigation Narratives
8 Adaptation Narratives
9 Dystopia and Apocalypse
10 Lifeboat vs. Collective Narratives
11 Narratives of Transformation
12 Making a Difference
13 Imagining and Communicating Sustainable Futures
14 Reflective Questions
References
10 Facing Change: Human Subjects in Climate Photojournalism
1 Introduction
2 Role of Photographs
3 Current Frames in Climate Change Photography
4 The Human in the Photograph: Identifiable Victim or Social Norm-Setter?
4.1 Impacts: Individual, Identified Victim
4.2 Causes: Individual Versus Collective
4.3 Victim, Perpetrator, or Problem Solver?
5 Conclusion
6 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
11 Food and Morality: Deconstruction of Value Judgments in Sustainability Documentary Films
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Lens: Implicit Morality in Complexity Reduction
2.1 Sustainability as Implicit Morality
2.2 An Ethical Perspective on Documentaries
2.3 Moralizing and the Political Aspects of Sustainability Communications
3 Analysis: Societal Demands and Guidelines on Agriculture and Food Production in Documentaries
3.1 Food Documentaries – An Overview
3.2 Deconstruction of Implicit Morality
4 Outlook: Sustainability Communications as Media Ethical Challenge
5 Reflective Questions
References
12 SCIENCE IS THE NEW FICTION: Divisive Discourse on Climate Change in the United States
1 The Left and the Right Battle in a U.S. War of Words
2 Framing, Media, and Credible Experts: The U.S. Partisan Divide
3 RESEARCH DESIGN: Measuring the U.S. Conversation
4 FINDINGS: What Media Reported
5 Reflective Questions:
References
13 Games and Gamification—New Instruments for Communicating Sustainability
1 Sustainability – From Concept to Movement
2 The Concept of Gamification in Education for Sustainable Development
3 Gamification in Environmental Education in the Past Years
4 Practical Implementation of Gamification
4.1 Game of Clones – When Finding a Strategy Becomes a Game
4.2 “Regionale Spirale” – A Game on Economic Associations
5 Opportunities and Challenges of Applying Game Concepts
6 Reflective Questions
References
14 Sustainability as Reference in Daily Media Coverage
1 Introduction
2 Sustainability as a normative concept
3 Sustainability and journalism
4 Research Questions
5 Method
6 Results: Different ways of referring to sustainability in media reporting
6.1 Journalistic Genres, Sections, Placement and Actors (RQ1-RQ4)
6.2 Functions (RQ5)
7 Discussion
8 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
Teil I Perspectives on Sustainability Communication
15 Communicating Sustainable Consumption
1 Introduction
2 Conceptualizing Sustainable Consumption
3 Communication Modes and Their Contribution to Sustainable Consumption
4 Review of Practices and Policies
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Social Experiments and Real-World Laboratories
4.3 Learning Through Media, Advertisement and Education
4.4 Information and Communication Technologies
5 Discussion and Further Research
6 Reflective Questions
References
16 Selling Hope: Science Marketing for Sustainability
1 Introduction
2 Science Marketing for Sustainability
3 Hope for Sustainability
4 The SciCommercial Model
5 Marketing Science for Sustainability
6 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
17 Understanding Lay Individuals’ Mental Models of Sustainability
1 Three-Pillar Model of Sustainability
1.1 Environmental Sustainability
1.2 Social Sustainability
1.3 Economic Sustainability
2 Perceptions of Dyadic Relations Among Pillars
2.1 Perceived Tension Between Pillars
2.2 Perceived Complementarity Between Pillars
3 Triadic Mental Models of Sustainability
3.1 Environment vs. Society and the Economy: Environmental Protection or Good Jobs and Social Programs?
3.2 Society vs. The Environment and Economy: Neoliberal (or Third Way) Environmental Protection
3.3 The Economy vs. the Environment and Society: Degrowth
3.4 Compatibility of All Three Pillars of Sustainability
4 Assessing the Content of Mental Models
5 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
18 Media Reception, Media Effects and Media Practices in Sustainability Communication: State of Research and Research Gaps
1 Introduction
2 Sustainability, Sustainability Communication and Their Research Areas
3 Sustainability, Media Reception, and Media Effects
4 Sustainability and Media Practices
5 Conclusion
6 Reflective Questions
References
Teil I Issues and Heuristics of Sustainability Communication
19 Conservation or Preservation? Protected Areas, Sustainability, and the Challenges of Framing
1 Introduction
2 Understanding Different Management Strategies and Key Concepts
3 Nature Preserves and the Purpose of Protected Areas
4 Mass Media in Ecological Discourse – How Conservation is Framed
5 Conservation Biology as a Complex Reality
6 Introducing the Social Dimensions of Conservation Management
7 Effective Sustainability Communication
8 Simplified Terms, Complicated Discourse
9 Reflective Questions
References
20 Is Shale Gas Development Sustainable? Competing Discourses on Fracking in the United States
1 A Brief History of Shale Gas Development in the United States
2 Examining the Controversy in Terms of Sustainable Development Goals
3 Goal #8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: “Promote Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive Employment and Decent work for All.”
4 Goal #7. Affordable and Clean Energy: “Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All.”
5 Goal #6. Clean Water and Sanitation: “Ensure Availability and Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation for All.”
6 Goal 15: Life on Land: “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.”
7 Goal 13: Climate Action: “Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate change and Its Impacts by Regulating emissions and Promoting Developments in Renewable Energy.”
8 Conclusion
9 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading and Viewing
21 Nuclear Power and Narrative of Sustainable Energy: A Lesson from Japan
1 Nuclear Power—A Sustainable Energy?
1.1 The Prevailing Narrative: Nuclear Power is Green and Safe.
1.2 Stories that Disrupt “Green and Safe.”
1.3 The Prevailing Narrative: Nuclear Power Brings Prosperity
2 Unsustainability of Nuclear Power
3 Alternative Stories of Sustainable Energy
4 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
22 Energy and Sustainable Communication
1 Introduction
2 Energy Transition
3 Communication
4 The Research Model
5 Urgency
6 Awareness
7 Action & Collective Action
8 Public Support
9 Dialogue
10 No Time to Waste
11 Reflective Questions:
References
23 Communicating Climate Change to Alberta’s Youth: Lessons Learned from the Alberta Narratives Project
1 Introduction
2 Methodology
2.1 Alberta Narratives Project
2.2 Participant Recruitment
2.3 Youth Narrative Workshop
2.4 Analysis
3 Key Findings and Recommendations
3.1 Test Narratives
4 Limitations and Future Research
5 Conclusions
6 Reflective Questions
References
24 Health Communication (Campaigns) for Sustainable Development—Can Social Media Be a Remedy?
1 Introduction
2 Core Concepts
2.1 Sustainable Development
2.2 Health
2.3 Health Communication
2.4 The Meso-Level: Health Campaigns
2.5 Social Media
3 Creating (Health) Communication Campaigns with an Impact
4 (Health) Communication Campaigns for Sustainable Development
5 Implications and Limitations
6 Conclusion
7 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
Teil I Organizing Communication and the SDGs
25 Sustainability Communication in Case of Emergency: The Role of NGOs in Implementing the SDGs
1 Introduction and Foundations
1.1 From Definition to Goals
1.2 SDG Communication
1.3 NGOs’ Role
2 Complex Contents: What Needs to Be Communicated?
2.1 Goals
2.2 Facts: Status Quo and Gaps
2.3 Theory: Interpretation of Data
2.4 Action: What to Do?
3 How to Communicate?
3.1 Communication Market Success Factors
3.2 Narrative and Tonality
3.3 Designing Communication: Message, Target Groups, Channels
4 NGOs: Business Models and Effectiveness
5 Perspectives and Conclusions
6 Reflective Questions
References
to Further Reading
26 Fairness and/or Sustainability?
1 Introduction
2 Fair trade in Flanders and the rise of sustainability
3 Discourse Theory: Conceptual Framework
4 Methodology
4.1 Case Selection
4.2 Selection of Materials
4.3 Discourse Analysis
5 Results
5.1 Social
5.2 Political
5.3 Ideological
6 Discussion
7 Reflective Questions
References
27 Pushing Governmental Responsibility for Sustainable Development: How Orders of Worth Evoked by Diagnostic and Prognostic Frames Contribute to Movement Support
1 Taking Court Action for Governmental Climate Change Mitigation
2 Social Movement Frames
3 Orders of Worth: Public Debates as Legitimacy Test
4 Linking Movement Framing Processes to Orders of Worth
5 Climate Change Litigation Against the Dutch State
5.1 Case Analysis
6 Discussion and Conclusions
7 Reflective Questions
References
28 Sustainability Communication in the Local Area
1 Introduction
2 The Challenges of Sustainability on the Local Level
3 Sustainability Communication in Local Media
4 An Example: Sustainability Policy and Communication in Nuremberg (Germany)
5 Conclusion
6 Reflective Questions
References
29 Sustainable Development and Chinese “Domestic” Migrant Workers – A Policy Perspective
1 Introduction
2 SDG8 – Being Caught Between Business-As-Usual and Radical Change
3 Theoretical Framework – Polanyi’s “Double Movement” in China
4 Setting the Scene: Political and Economic Context
4.1 Historical Economic Development 1978–2005
4.2 China’s Economic Development Post 2000
4.3 Third Tier: Micro-level Perspective - Migrant Workers’ Issues
4.4 Fourth Tier: Current State of Sustainable Development in China and Responses to Micro-level Migrant Issues
5 Discussion
5.1 Theoretical Implications
5.2 Practical Implications
5.3 Limitations and Avenues for Future Research
6 Reflective Questions
References
30 Are CSR and Sustainability a ‘First World Problem’? Western and Eastern European Perspectives
1 Introduction
2 The Evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability in Theory and Practice
3 Sustainability Communication (SC) and Transformational Change
4 The Current Study
5 Findings
6 Discussion and Conclusions
7 Reflective Questions
References
31 Future Perspectives: Sustainability Communication as Scientific and Societal Challenge
References