Climate Insecurity: Exploring How Environmental Security Discoursed Affect Climate Change Campaigning in the UK

Climate change communication has become increasingly sophisticated, despite the problems associated with representing abstract and complex scientific processes (Doyle 2011). Environmental NGOs and social movement groups play a crucial role in framing climate change, in an effort to influence UK climate and social policy. Frequently these framings and narratives are contested and are outcomes of competing policy or campaigning agendas (Schlembach 2011). Security has underpinned a key narrative in mediated and policy discourses of climate change (Dalby 2002), employed by actors as diverse as international governmental organisations, national administrations, climate scientists, NGOs and grassroots activist groups. The link between climate change and security has been stressed as risks of conflict over resources and territory, threats to national infrastructure and public safety, or increased crime and forced migration. However, "security" itself remains difficult to conceptualise (Neocleous 2008). This studentship will critically examine how security discourses have entered and altered the climate change communication and campaigning strategies of campaigning organisations in the UK, from international NGOs to grassroots activist groups. Simultaneously the project will critically explore and map the challenges and limitations of the security narrative in climate change communication at a time when environmental activists and protesters are also seen as potential security risks. An effect of the 'securitisation' of climate change could therefore be the criminalisation, control and surveillance of activists, social movements and NGOs. The research will utilise qualitative methodologies and apply theoretical insights drawn from communication studies, criminology and social movement theory. It will offer important insights into the rapidly changing socio-political landscape of climate communication and will also consider the potential implications for climate activism and policy-making.

This PhD studentship will contribute to the ESRC priority area that addresses 'issues relating to climate governance, risk and communication'. Situated across sociology, politics and criminology, this project has a clear link to UoA 22 through its focus upon the potential impact of climate change policy upon the climate communication and campaigning strategies of NGOs. In exploring the relationship between governmental and not-for-profit work in the context of the increasing securitisation of climate change, it will also reflect upon its potential impacts upon public engagement.