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Coloniality in discourse as a barrier to climate action: a case study of South Africa

Van Ryneveld, Tara LU (2021) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20211
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
South Africa has a coal-based energy system and extractive economy, largely responsible for its relatively high emission levels compared to countries with similar GDP figures. This extractive, coal-based economy began during British colonization and today shows few tangible signs of transitioning rapidly to limit climate change. This thesis interrogates the role of coloniality in climate inaction, given that colonization is responsible for establishing fossil fuel dependence in South Africa. Combining theory on decolonization, specifically colonial hierarchies of power, with a critical discourse analysis, this thesis uses interview and policy data to show how colonial power hierarchies encourage climate inaction in South Africa, through... (More)
South Africa has a coal-based energy system and extractive economy, largely responsible for its relatively high emission levels compared to countries with similar GDP figures. This extractive, coal-based economy began during British colonization and today shows few tangible signs of transitioning rapidly to limit climate change. This thesis interrogates the role of coloniality in climate inaction, given that colonization is responsible for establishing fossil fuel dependence in South Africa. Combining theory on decolonization, specifically colonial hierarchies of power, with a critical discourse analysis, this thesis uses interview and policy data to show how colonial power hierarchies encourage climate inaction in South Africa, through normalizing emissions intensive development and silencing alternatives. In doing so,it highlights the need to recognize the colonial foundations of climate change and the potential for a coalition between decolonization and climate action to motivate for radical change both in South Africa and at a global level. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Van Ryneveld, Tara LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Climate Change, Sustainability Science, Colonization, minerals-energy complex, Critical Discourse Analysis, Decolonial theory.
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2021:030
language
English
additional info
This publication is part of my research work at Lund University, funded by a Swedish Institute scholarship.
id
9047986
date added to LUP
2021-06-02 16:18:43
date last changed
2022-11-30 10:03:08
@misc{9047986,
  abstract     = {{South Africa has a coal-based energy system and extractive economy, largely responsible for its relatively high emission levels compared to countries with similar GDP figures. This extractive, coal-based economy began during British colonization and today shows few tangible signs of transitioning rapidly to limit climate change. This thesis interrogates the role of coloniality in climate inaction, given that colonization is responsible for establishing fossil fuel dependence in South Africa. Combining theory on decolonization, specifically colonial hierarchies of power, with a critical discourse analysis, this thesis uses interview and policy data to show how colonial power hierarchies encourage climate inaction in South Africa, through normalizing emissions intensive development and silencing alternatives. In doing so,it highlights the need to recognize the colonial foundations of climate change and the potential for a coalition between decolonization and climate action to motivate for radical change both in South Africa and at a global level.}},
  author       = {{Van Ryneveld, Tara}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Coloniality in discourse as a barrier to climate action: a case study of South Africa}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}