Media, miners and the injustices of sustainable transition in North-East Estonia

Abstract

The transition to sustainable energy creates injustices, such as job losses in the fossil fuel sector. Not addressing the problems of those hit by transitional injustices increases the political risks of pro-environmental decision-making and undermines sustainable transition. A just transition in the energy system does not happen in isolation, but rather in interaction with other social systems. This analysis approaches the issue from the standpoint that a decrease in fossil energy production can proceed more smoothly when mutually supportive interactions between media and energy systems are implemented. This empirical case analysis illuminates one of the intersection nodes between energy and media policies – mediated listening to vulnerable groups hit by the sustainable transition. The author explains how the mode of operation of the news media hinders listening to miners who are losing their jobs. She also explains what may motivate mediated listening and suggests that sustainable energy policy interventions can be designed to create mutually useful interrelations between energy and media systems. The media can gain new audiences during energy system destabilisation, and energy policy implementers can gain insight into the needs of vulnerable groups hit by downsizing.