Discursive Construction of Climate Change Vulnerability: A Discourse Historical Analysis of Media Discourse

Abstract

The study aims to examine how linguistic choices in media discourses contribute to climate change vulnerability. It focuses on the analysis of language usage within a historical framework, to accomplish specific goals, including the examination of the text’s internal factors, the exploration of the context of the scenario, and the investigation of intertextuality and social practice. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach that integrates Discourse Historical Analysis. This research aims to address a significant gap in the existing literature, as there has been limited or no prior investigation into the context pertaining to the subject matter of this study. The significance of this study resides in its potential to expand our knowledge of how media narratives impact public views of climate change vulnerability. By focusing on television and newspaper articles, the research strives to offer subtle insights into the discursive techniques, such as attribution, perspective, mitigation and intensification, deployed and their ramifications. The findings helped in identifying potential pivot points or conversely, in revealing entrenched discursive patterns that may act as barriers to policy change. The analysis of media discourse on climate change through DHA and CADS is not just an elucidation of linguistics patterns; it's an exploration of how language constructs reality, influences behavior, and shapes policy. The implications of these findings are manifold, carrying significant weight for public perception, political debate, and the policy-making process concerning one of the most critical challenges of our era—climate change. Understanding the discursive construction of climate change vulnerability is crucial for informing more effective communication strategies and policy interventions that are aligned with the collective imperative to address global warming and its i