Climate Change Advocacy and Ecological Modernization: the Symbolic Politics Of
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Climate Change Advocacy and Ecological Modernization: The Symbolic Politics of Carbon Tax Communication in British Columbia by Andrew Patrick, B.A. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts School of Journalism and Communication Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario April, 2013 ©2013, Andrew Patrick Library and Archives Bibliotheque et Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du 1+1Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-94590-2 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-94590-2 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distrbute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. 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Canada Abstract This thesis explores communication of the carbon tax and climate change policy in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, by various environmental advocates and organizations from January 1,2006 through August 31,2012. It adopts a form of argumentative discourse analysis espoused by Maarten Hajer in its examination of two discourse coalitions organized around the principles of both “weak” and “strong” ecological modernization (Christoff, 1996). The analysis works from a conception of the carbon tax as a product of deliberative interplay and details the shifting communicative dynamics that have helped shaped the significance of policy over time. By examining various written texts, I argue that communication about the B.C. carbon tax was largely dominated by a weak ecological modem discourse coalition. The study concludes with discussion on the potential implications for future advocacy efforts in the province, emphasizing the role of communicative practice in the “green public sphere”. Keywords: climate change, carbon tax, communication, discourse coalitions, Maarten Hajer, ecological modernization, environmental movement, British Columbia. Acknowledgments My time at Carleton has offered an incredible wealth of new experiences and knowledge for which I am deeply grateful. I would like to thank the staff and faculty in the Communication Studies department for their generous support and insight into communication scholarship, and for making my experience as engaging and enjoyable as it was challenging. I have benefitted immensely from the guidance of my thesis supervisor, Professor Chris Russill, who has offered new and exciting perspectives on my research with every discussion. I am also thankful for the encouragement and assistance of Professors Josh Greenberg, Eileen Saunders, Ross Eaman, Michael Dorland, and Kirsten Kozolanka. To my fellow graduate students, I could not have progressed as I have if it were not for the wide-ranging discussions and feedback you have shared in so many different instances. Your friendship is greatly appreciated. To my family and Mends, I owe a deep debt of gratitude. The unwavering love and support of my parents, Ruby and Jim, as well as my siblings, Jenn and Matt, has been invaluable and I would not have been able to accomplish what I have without their help. I am also indebted to my aunt and uncle, Donna and Ben, for their care and advice. Finally, I would not be at this point in my life if I did not have the strength and spirit of my partner Tiffany enlivening me at every turn. Tiffany, your love and creativity have inspired me in so many ways and I aspire to give back even more. I am continually honoured to share this path alongside you. A special thank you to the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program, whose financial contribution helped make this research possible. Dedicated to the memory of Maureen Woods To Aunty Moe. Table of Contents Abstract - (ii) Acknowledgments - (iii) Dedication - (iv) Table of Contents - (v) Chapter One - Introduction (p. 1) Chapter Two - Environmentalism and Climate Change Advocacy in British Columbia (p. 10) • 2.1 - Timeline: Environmental Advocacy and the Carbon Tax in B.C. (p. 11) • 2.2 - Literature Review: B.C.’s Carbon Tax and Communication (p. 19) Chapter Three -Theoretical Framework (p. 25) • 3 .1 - Ulrich Beck: Risk Society, Reflexive Modernization and the Subpolitics of Climate Action (p. 25) • 3.2 - Ecological Modernization: Competing Visions for the Future (p. 32) • 3.3 - Environmental Movements, The Green Public Sphere, and Media (p. 39) Chapter Four - Research Methodology and Methodological Issues (p. 47) • 4.1 - Discourse Coalitions and Methodological Framework (p. 49) • 4.3 - Methodology: Communication and the B.C. Carbon Tax (p. 54) • 4.4 - Data Collection and Materials (p. 55) • 4.5 - A Note on Environmental Organizations and Actors (p. 61) Chapter Five - Discourse Analysis: Results and Discussion (p. 62) • 5 .1 - Setting the Discursive Context: An Illustrative Example (p. 63) • 5.2 - Discourse Coalitions and the Strength of Ecological Modernization (p. 67) • 5.3 - Storylines: “Weak” Ecological Modernization Coalition (p. 68) • 5.4 - Storylines: “Strong” Ecological Modernization Coalition (p. 74) • 5.5 - Practicing Symbolic Politics: Movement, Media and State (p. 83) • 5.6 - Shaping a Reformed Carbon Tax and the Ascendancy of Natural Gas (p. 90) Chapter Six - Conclusion (p. 95) Appendix One -Discourse Coalitions: Environmental Organizations and Actors (p. 110) Appendix Two - Search Terms (p. 118) References - (p. 119) 1 Chapter One Introduction Why has there not been a “storming of the Bastille” over climate change? This rather provocative query, posed by German sociologist Ulrich Beck (2010, p. 254), may indeed reach beyond the bounds of this humble thesis, but it is admittedly a question that has sat in the back of my mind since reading it. After letting its weight sink for a moment, a torrent of counter-provocations usually come to mind; “Is climate change really the type of problem that calls for such a “revolution”? If so, revolt against who or what? What sort of revolution would this look like? What understanding of climate science and political change does this imply? What would be the consequences of thinking about climate change in this way?”. Such a question is not often the starting point for attempts to address climate change and the constellation of interconnected challenges it presents for myriad societal interests (cf. Hulme, 2009), and perhaps for good reason. For Beck (2010), however, this question begets still more questions: “Where is the support for ecological changes supposed to come from, the support which in many cases would undermine [people’s] lifestyles, their consumption habits, their social status and life conditions in what are already truly very uncertain times?” (p. 255). To which he answers, “from below”: meaning that the significance of climate change must be deliberated on in innumerable ways by a majority of different cultural groups in order to animate it in a more creative, participatory and conflictual light. Otherwise “climate politics is doomed” (p. 255). This is the process modem society must go through in order to confront the omissions of its own guiding mantras that have thus far created the 2 insidious byproducts that now threaten to undermine its very existence. Climate change, from this view, is the ultimate side effect of an incomplete and ongoing process of modernization. To be clear, there is much more to Beck’s theory, but it is not entirely apparent that this premise is correct, or at least it does not seem to be the dominant wisdom employed to answer the threat of global warming in many places around the world. Though often times climate advocates acknowledge that an enormous transformation in the infrastructural arrangements of modem societies must be undertaken, by and large it is just as commonplace for political resolve to be sought in more calculated and controlled communication strategies that attempt to leave preexisting social and political life relatively intact. A technological breakthrough might occur, for example, with the proper government policy program in place, if only