Approaches to the Anthropocene from Communication and Media Studies

Abstract

This paper explores how communication and media studies have engaged with the concept of the Anthropocene in recent years. The purpose of this study is to outline the most relevant theoretical and conceptual contributions from communication science and media studies to issues related to climate change, global sustainability and the Anthropocene. A literature review on the matter shows that the field of communication research is diverse and heterogeneous, and that it puts forward different concepts and theories that deal with media as the environment or the environment as media. Environmental communication and environmental humanities frame approaches to media representations of environmental issues, whereas elemental analysis focuses on the essence of media, its material dimensions and its entanglements with social practices. From the dialogue and interdisciplinary debates among these disciplines, new approaches such as environmental media studies arise. Differences among theories have to do with the definition of media or the consideration of humanity in relation to nature or technology. In sum, communication and media studies offer interdisciplinary approaches and a nuanced understanding of our socio-natural relations, which will become more and more mediated in the years to come.

Not all Doom and Gloom: Students in the Anthropocene Develop Collaborative Skills Using Social Media and Surveys

“…Social media can provide a powerful tool for engaging and teaching in the classroom (Moody, 2010) and can provide a method for discussion (Chawinga, 2017). Moreover, communicating science across disciplines and media may greatly aid study of the Anthropocene (Bergillos, 2021), with TikTok one outlet for students to communicate research projects in science in the online environment (Radin & Light, 2022). Therefore, future incorporation of social media platforms in the classroom could be aided by further collaboration across disciplines, possibly non-biology or non-science majors, such as art or media students, as well as other majors.…”

Modificación del Paisaje de la Bahía de Montevideo en el marco del Antropoceno

“…Los medios de comunicación también han desarrollado interés en las ramificaciones culturales más amplias del concepto, mas allá de lo geológico (Zamora et al, 2015;Thomas, 2016;Trischler, 2017;Cerreata, 2019;Padilla, 2019;Mahaswa y Widhianto, 2020;Bergillos, 2021) Desde este punto de vista inter y multidisciplinario, la Bahía de Montevideo y su entorno también halla su representatividad dentro de su historia. En el estudio histórico de sus modificaciones se busca dar sentido al estado actual, desde la economía se explica el desarrollo del puerto y las sucesivas mejoras, dragados y cambios en la fisonomía, desde lo social se busca integrar las urbanizaciones con asentamientos irregulares, en lo político se destacan las tomas de decisiones, algunas muy cercanas en el tiempo, que pueden condicionar medidas destinadas a la recuperación.…”

Communication, socialization, and ITC. The psychosocial construction of sustainability

“…The study of environmental communication and the exploration of the environmental impacts of various technologies intertwined with the progression of conventional mass media and social networks has garnered substantial interest across diverse realms of knowledge (Bergillos, 2020(Bergillos, , 2021. Furthermore, the landscape of communication processes has experienced profound transformations after the global COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…As demonstrated by Bergillos (2021), the presence of media is ubiquitous, exerting influence over both social environments and individuals. Simultaneously, these media are shaped by societal influences.…”