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In this episode of the Language and Power podcast, we talk with Ben Clarke from the University of Gothenburg about his research on biophilia - human-nature connectedness - and common ground. Ben explores how communication and discourse play roles in addressing environmental issues and argues for the interconnectedness of democratic processes and ecological problems. We discuss the importance of how nature is represented in discourse, examining how language can foster empathy and better relationships with the environment. Through detailed examples and analysis, Ben discusses the potential impact of framing and metaphors on public perception and behavior towards climate-conscious actions. Finally, we touch upon the upcoming European Systemic Functional Linguistics Congress in Gothenburg, focusing on environmental sustainability and the future of positive discourse analysis. 00:39 Exploring Biophilia and Common Ground 01:56 Digital Democracy and Environmental Representation 03:16 Interconnection of Democracy and Environmental Issues 04:40 Common Ground in Communication 07:46 Designing Biophilic Digital Spaces 10:07 Biophilia and Human Wellbeing 12:55 Psychological and Intergenerational Connections to Nature 18:13 Linguistic Approaches to Environmental Messaging 21:18 Exploring Metaphors in Discourse 21:39 Psychological and Big Data Approaches 23:05 Stakeholders in Environmental Communication 24:04 Textual Analysis of Nature Discourse 27:36 Common Ground in Environmental Texts 33:44 Impact of Activists on Political Discourse 37:31 Positive Discourse Analysis and Future Directions 34th European Systemic Functional Linguistics Conference (ESFLC34): Ecosocial Environment Language & Power Podcast Webpage 1-1 Tutorials in CDA: Discourse Academy Webpage

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Haley Walker from the Department of International Negotiation and Conflict Management, IÉSEG School of Management (Lille). We discuss the outcomes of COP30, held in Brazil, Dr. Walker’s insights into the successes and disappointments of COP30, and the disparity between expectations and actual outcomes. We hear about the differences between the negotiation and implementation facets of COP events, the increasing size of COPs post-Paris, and the challenges and potential solutions for effective participation and meaningful impact. Hayley emphasises the need to shift focus from negotiations to implementation and suggests greater utilisation of virtual participation and regional climate weeks to enhance inclusivity and effectiveness. 00:48 Discussing COP 30 Outcomes 02:22 Expectations vs. Reality at COP 30 04:01 The Role of the Action Agenda 06:02 Brazilian Presidency's Agenda Shift 07:59 Cover Decisions and Their Impact 09:42 Research on Non-State Actors 13:17 Media's Role in COP Coverage 15:45 Negotiation vs. Implementation at COP 21:29 Debunking Rage Bait in Climate Reporting 22:21 The Real Fossil Fuel Lobbying Happens Elsewhere 23:29 Youth Activism and Effective Climate Action 24:38 Understanding the Concept of Mega COPs 26:42 Challenges of Overcrowded COPs 27:17 Party Overflow and Its Implications 31:56 Virtual Participation and Downsizing COPs 34:11 Beyond COP: Year-Round Climate Work 37:09 Media Perception and COP Legitimacy 41:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions The Conversation: The problem with ‘mega-COPs’: can a 50,000-person conference still tackle climate change? Academic article: Access and meaningful participation of non-state actors in the UNFCCC process: path-dependencies in the era of ‘mega-COPs’ In-person workshop: How to use CDA in your research project Language & Power Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

In this episode, we speak with Awni Etaywe from Charles Darwin University in Australia about his upcoming publication, 'A CDA/PDA of Jewish Co-Resistance to Colonial Disinformation'. We discuss how disinformation in colonial contexts operates as epistemic and symbolic violence and discuss how Jewish organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace, Breaking the Silence, and the Jewish Council of Australia construct counter-narratives to challenge dominant Zionist framings of the Palestinian struggle. Dr. Etaywe explains his analysis of how alternative Jewish movements are leveraging discourse to foster trans-communal communities of trust and pro-Palestinian moral bonds, and explores the use of linguistic mechanisms such as evaluative couplings and morally charged language to resist colonial disinformation and reframe moral understanding. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:24 Overview of the Article 02:15 Origins and Objectives of the Article 03:43 Jewish Movements and Colonial Framing 04:18 Disinformation and Moral Orders 11:24 Evaluative Couplings and Bond Clusters 23:36 Counter Framing and Activist Discourse 54:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts We’ll add a link to the article here when it has been published In-person workshop: How to use CDA in your research project Language & Power Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

In this special episode, recorded at the International Systemic Functional Linguistics Congress held in Glasgow this summer, we have an expert panel discussion on 'Changing Climate, Changing Discourse’.  Our guests, leading academics in the field of language and climate change, are Cinzia Bevitori; John Currie; Daniel Fryer; Matteo Fuoli; Gerard O’Grady; Katherine Russo; and Paul White. Sharing insights from their research on NGO discourse, techno-optimism, the criminalisation of the environmental movement, and corporate greenwashing. Our panel discusses the psychological, sociological, and linguistic dimensions of climate discourse and looks at how these insights can empower activism and affect policy. 01:15 Panel Introductions and Research Summaries 10:35 Media Representation and Public Perception 14:38 Corporate Strategies and Stakeholder Tensions 19:51 Climate Reports and Their Impact 20:48 Corporate Power vs. Activist Efforts 21:17 The Influence of Discourse on Policy and Society 25:08 Challenges in Political Engagement with Evidence 27:06 Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Climate Discourse 30:29 The Role of Academia in Climate Discourse 32:46 Economic Growth and Social Justice 37:01 Conclusion and Podcast Information Language & Power Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

In this episode, we talk with Professor Arran Stibbe from the University of Gloucestershire and the founding director of the International Eco Linguistics Association about his work in Ecolinguistics. We discuss the definition and scope of Ecolinguistics, its role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and alienation from nature. Aaron shares insights on how language constructs our social realities, influences behaviour, and shapes policies that affect ecosystems. We also discuss the concept of transdisciplinarity, narrative ecology, and how positive discourse analysis can foster sustainable practices. Aaron emphasises the importance of integrating non-human concerns into our value systems and how shifting the narratives can contribute to ecological resilience and sustainability. The Stories We Live By The Search for New Stories to Live By Power and Language Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

In this episode, we talk with Teresa Fidélis from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, about her co-authored research article ‘The integration of land use and climate change risks in the Programmes of Measures of River Basin Plans–assessing the influence of the Water Framework Directive in Portugal’.  We hear how the analysis found a clear shift in the language used in Portuguese River Basin Plans— how ‘concern about land use topics has reduced in the measures’ described in the plans over time.  Importantly, we discussed how these results were shared with policymakers and how the research team explained to them that ‘the more particular concerns are evident, the easier they are communicated and  assimilated by other actors’.  Article- The integration of land use and climate change risks in the Programmes of Measures of River Basin Plans – assessing the influence of the Water Framework Directive in Portugal Power and Language Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

We chat with Dr Michael Kranert about his new research article ‘The wickedness of net-zero policy: scales in policy discourse’. In the article, he examines how international climate change policies are adapted at the local level, using a case study from a council debate in Germany about the EU programme ‘100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030’. The analysis focuses on the role of scales in policy discourse, highlighting the complexity and wickedness of climate change as a policy problem. The study contributes to critical policy discourse analysis by outlining the role of epistemological and ontological scales in connecting global and local policy discourses. Article- The wickedness of net-zero policy: scales in policy discourse Book: Critical Policy Discourse Analysis Power and Language Podcast Webpage Discourse Academy Webpage

In this episode of the Language and Power Podcast, we discuss COP29  held in Azerbaijan in 2024. We analyse media coverage from CNN, BBC, and the New York Times, focusing on the portrayal of Azerbaijan as a 'petrostate' and issues surrounding the credibility of the conference. Analysing the representation of social actors, we compare these media narratives with academic insights from Hayley Walker, who emphasises the role of effective negotiating teams in achieving climate goals. The discussion highlights varying perspectives on the intersection of geopolitics, media representation, and the procedural aspects of COP29. Hayley Walker research insight CNN article:Analysis Climate leaders were worried… BBC article:Climate change - Former oil executive… NYT article:Why is a Petrostate Holding This Year’s Climate Talks? Power and Language Podcast Webpage ONLINE COURSES - Discourse Academy Webpage

We take a step back from COP28 to discuss what makes a successful text for climate change and sustainability. We analyze different speakers and their approach to addressing these issues, including speakers like Txai Suruí, an indigenous activist; Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor; and Jeremy Clarkson, a motor journalist. We examine how these speakers utilize their cultural capital and contextualize their messages for their audiences. We also discuss concepts like intertextuality and positive discourse analysis, ultimately emphasising the importance of a diverse network of voices promoting environmental change. See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes. Language & Power YouTube channel Language & Power Patreon page Power and Language Podcast Webpage

A final text from COP 28 has been announced - including the phrase ‘fossil fuels’ for the first time. We discuss this and some of the reaction to the text. COP28 Final text See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes. Language & Power YouTube channel Language & Power Patreon page Power and Language Podcast Webpage

Food, Agriculture & Water was the theme of COP 28 on 10th December 2023. We discuss a new document published at COP28: ‘Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold: A Global Roadmap - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ - in particular, the topic of sustainable fisheries. COP26 Alok Sharma Opening Speech COP27 Sameh Shoukry Opening Speech COP 28 Al Jaber Opening Speech FAO Document: Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold: A Global Roadmap See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes. Language & Power YouTube channel Language & Power Patreon page Power and Language Podcast Webpage

Just transition is a theme at COP 28. We discuss the definitions of ‘just transition’ found in documents related to a ‘high level ministerial roundtable on just transitions’ held at COP28: UN Article: Ensuring No One is Left Behind: First High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Just Transition UN Agenda: First Annual High-level Ministerial round table on just transition UN Powerpoint Slides: First Annual High-level Ministerial round table on just transition ILO: Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all US Vice President Harris speech at COP28 See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes. Language & Power YouTube channel Language & Power Patreon page Power and Language Podcast Webpage

Dr Sultan Al Jaber opened COP 28, with some media controversy, on 30th November 2023; UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, flew to the UAE and gave a press conference. We discuss the two speeches in terms of argumentation strategies - both appeal to pragmatic and moral arguments. Rishi Sunak press conference speech transcript Sultan Al Jaber COP 28 opening address transcript Rishi Sunak press conference video Sultan Al Jaber COP 28 opening address video See the podcast on YouTube or join us on Patreon to access discussion boards for every episode; take part in polls on podcast content; see exclusive posts on upcoming episodes; get transcripts of the main episodes. Language & Power YouTube channel Language & Power Patreon page Power and Language Podcast Webpage

In this second episode of our mini-series that responds to themes around COP27, we discuss ‘greenwashing’ in relation to COP 27, which was recently was held in Egypt. This topic is inspired by an article that we found in The Guardian authored by the well-known writer, Naomi Klein: “Greenwashing a police state: the truth behind Egypt's COP 27 masquerade”. With us on the podcast is special guest. Dr Michael Kranert from the University of Southhampton. Greenwashing a police state: the truth behind Egypt’s Cop27 masquerade Sharm El-Sheikh Mangroves and Sustainability Three protected areas you need to visit if you’re a nature-lover travelling to Sharm El Sheikh for COP 27 this November Welcome Message From President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Power and Language Podcast Webpage

In this first episode of our mini-series that responds to themes around COP27, we discuss sustainable consumption and sustainable production. With our guest, Alex Caveen, we look at four articles from The Guardian newspaper in the UK. Each of them addresses some aspects of consumption, and some raise issues of sustainable production. Cut meat consumption to two burgers a week to save planet, study suggests Enormous emissions gap between top 1% and poorest, study highlights Embrace what may be the most important green technology ever. It could save us all Lab-grown food is no way to nourish the planet Power and Language Podcast Webpage