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Environmental literacy and deliberative democracy: a content analysis of written submissions to the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on climate change

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Devaney

    (Dublin City University)

  • Pat Brereton

    (Dublin City University)

  • Diarmuid Torney

    (Dublin City University)

  • Martha Coleman

    (Dublin City University)

  • Constantine Boussalis

    (Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin)

  • Travis G. Coan

    (Univeristy of Exeter)

Abstract

Amid pressure for climate action worldwide, processes of deliberative democracy are being called upon to address public policy complexities, include citizens in decision-making, restore faith in public institutions and enhance governance processes. The citizens’ assembly model is lauded internationally for the much-needed structure it provides to support bottom-up governance efforts as well as the potential for effective citizen engagement on complex topics. The Irish Citizens’ Assembly, which took place from 2016 to 2018, is heralded as an example of best practice in design and execution. Yet, there is a dearth in analysis of its form, structure, impact and content, particularly in the climate crisis context. This paper examines one element of the deliberative democracy process that aimed to include a wider breadth of publics beyond the 99 citizens randomly selected to take part: the public submissions invited as part of the Citizens’ Assembly process. In total, 1185 submissions were received on the topic of climate change. Our study undertakes a comprehensive content analysis of these submissions. Specifically, we explore (1) the content and concerns foregrounded within the submissions, (2) the frames and rhetorical strategies employed and (3) the stakeholders and scales called upon for climate action. The study identifies trends, preoccupations and salience within the corpus of written submissions and expands our understanding of citizen perceptions of climate science and policy. We offer both operational lessons for others aiming to enact similar deliberative forums as well as communications lessons for wider efforts to deepen public engagement on the climate crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Devaney & Pat Brereton & Diarmuid Torney & Martha Coleman & Constantine Boussalis & Travis G. Coan, 2020. "Environmental literacy and deliberative democracy: a content analysis of written submissions to the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 1965-1984, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:162:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10584-020-02707-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-020-02707-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Grimmer, Justin & Stewart, Brandon M., 2013. "Text as Data: The Promise and Pitfalls of Automatic Content Analysis Methods for Political Texts," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(3), pages 267-297, July.
    2. Adam Corner & Ezra Markowitz & Nick Pidgeon, 2014. "Public engagement with climate change: the role of human values," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(3), pages 411-422, May.
    3. Schleich, Joachim & Faure, Corinne, 2017. "Explaining citizens’ perceptions of international climate-policy relevance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 62-71.
    4. David Schlosberg & Lisette B. Collins, 2014. "From environmental to climate justice: climate change and the discourse of environmental justice," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(3), pages 359-374, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen Elstub & Jayne Carrick & David M. Farrell & Patricia Mockler, 2021. "The Scope of Climate Assemblies: Lessons from the Climate Assembly UK," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Diarmuid Torney, 2021. "Deliberative Mini-Publics and the European Green Deal in Turbulent Times: The Irish and French Climate Assemblies," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 380-390.
    3. Diarmuid Torney, 2021. "Deliberative Mini-Publics and the European Green Deal in Turbulent Times: The Irish and French Climate Assemblies," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(3), pages 380-390.

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