Language and climate justice: A research agenda

Abstract

AbstractIn response to the worsening crisis of climate change, researchers across the social sciences are increasingly seeking to understand and enact climate justice. In this Journal of Sociolinguistics Dialog, we suggest that sociolinguists have the opportunity—and the urgent responsibility—to contribute to this work. Julia Coombs Fine and Jessica Love‐Nichols begin the Dialog by addressing the questions, “Why is sociolinguistics relevant to climate justice”? and “Why is climate justice relevant to sociolinguistics”? In light of links between environmental degradation and climate change, Rosalie Edmonds’ and Jessica Pouchet's commentaries address climate justice through critical perspectives on the sociopolitical organization of wildlife and forest conservation. Highlighting the role of national epics in promoting or hindering climate justice, Diego Forte argues that gendered and colonial Argentinian identities underlie a carnist ideology that impedes substantive efforts toward sustainability. Bernard Perley provides a perspective on climate justice and Indigenous linguistics, calling attention to the power of Indigenous languages to decolonize the search for climate justice and provide a reimagination of hope during traumatic times. In closing, we emphasize the importance of critical and community‐engaged work on language and climate justice, and highlight the need for coalitions of research and action.