Climate change by any other name: Social representations and language practices of coastal inhabitants on Mayotte Island in the Indian Ocean
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: As population-related climate change research increases, so does the need to nuance approaches to this complex phenomenon, including issues related to cultural and linguistic translations. To explore how climate change is understood in understudied societies, a case-study approach is taken to address social representations of climate change by inhabitants of a Maore village in the French island of Mayotte. The study explores how local fishers understand the issue when considering observed environmental changes. Based on analyses of 30 interviews, the study found that social representations and related climate change discourses are not well established, except for individuals in close contact with French institutions. Issues regarding local culture and language reveal the importance of understanding the different components of climate change. Climate change communication and awareness-raising on the island are explored, as well as considerations of culturally and linguistically complex settings with a Global North/Global South interface.
Source: Public Understanding of Science
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Praxiling, Université de Montpellier Paul-Valéry, AgroParisTech, Pôle de Recherche pour l'Organisation et la Diffusion de l'Information Géographique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, University of Reunion Island, Université de Mayotte, Université Le Havre Normandie, Identités et Différenciation de l'Environnement des Espaces et des Sociétés, LIttoral ENvironnement et Sociétés, La Rochelle Université, Ifremer, Université de Montpellier, Marine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation, Écologie Marine Tropicale des Océans Pacifique et Indien, UMR Espace-Dev, University of New Caledonia, University of French Guiana, Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Géoazur
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,700
OpenAlex ID: W4393353376