Framing and reframing the emerging “planetary crisis”

A plea to avoid, and for increasing critique of, neoenvironmental determinism

Bibliographic Data

ID12428447
AuthorsStephen McGrail (University of Technology Sydney, corresponding author)
EditorsDennis R Morgan
Year2013
Volume21
Issue3
Pages230-246
Publication date2013-08-09
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOn the Horizon The International Journal of Learning Futures (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1074-8121 • E-ISSN: 2054-1708
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/oth-03-2013-0019
OpenAlexW2156108019
LanguageEN
References cited25

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to take up and contribute to understanding an important emerging theme in recent literature on global environmental change and socio‐ecological issues (including Slaughter's The Biggest Wake‐up Call in History): “positive reframing”. The paper also aims to deepen consideration of the potential for “overshoot and collapse” futures and related concerns by foresight practitioners. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on, and presents, a thematic analytical literature review. Findings In total, four underlying drivers of increased reframing and four central themes in positive reframes are identified; mental “frames” informing and limiting foresight work need to be openly communicated and reflected on – such practitioner reflexivity is often missing in foresight work, such as in The Biggest Wake‐up Call in History by Richard Slaughter. Practical implications The paper includes discussion of the implications for futures practice, including the role of mental frames and reframing. The author suggests futures practitioners can play important new roles in challenging the recent re‐emergence of influential forms of environmental determinism and foresight practitioners need to be more wary of the potential for “narrative bias”. Social implications Futures assessment is increasingly needed to guide policy and action in improving human‐environment relations. Barriers and opportunities to fulfilling this societal need must be understood. Originality/value The paper helps to deepen the consideration of “re‐framing” and environmental limits by foresight practitioners and theorists. In doing so, the paper also brings in new concepts from other fields (such as cognitive psychology and Science and Technology Studies) into the foresight/futures field

Cognitive reframing · Economics · Engineering ethics · Environmental ethics · Epistemology · Framing (construction · Futures contract · Futures studies · Narrative · Political science · Public relations · Responsible Research and Innovation · Sociology · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Engineering · Psychology · Risk Perception and Management · Social Psychology · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

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