Changing the political climate: the role of imagery, narrative and political theatre in the work of the Australian climate movement

Abstract

Stories, images and the ‘theatre’ of political action are central to the ways in which we understand climate change. Drawing on interviews with Australian climate campaigners, this research investigates how they figure in the work of the Australian climate movement and how ‘symbolic politics’ matters for achieving political change. This thesis argues that ‘symbolic politics’ (1) shapes the place of climate change in ‘the public imagination’, and (2) generates momentum and energy for the climate movement. Symbolic politics thereby influences the ‘climate of opinion’ and the overall ‘political climate’, creating conditions that are often essential for achieving political change.