The climate change sublime: Leveraging the immense awe of the planetary threat of climate change

Author

Sean D. Quartz, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Year of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Communication Studies

Department or School/College

Communication Studies

Committee Chair

Dr. Steven Schwarze

Commitee Members

Dr. Sara Hayden, Dr. Nicky Phear

Keywords

Environmental Communication, Rhetoric, Climate Change, Sublime

Publisher

University of Montana

Subject Categories

Speech and Rhetorical Studies

Abstract

Environmental communication scholarship has not significantly advanced the fundamental theories of sublime discourse since their introduction with John Muir and his advocacy for Yosemite National Park. Such a lacuna is problematic, as humanity is entering the age of the Anthropocene where vast ecological destruction is becoming increasingly relevant, and audience engagement is essential if we are to mitigate the worst to come. This essay seeks to remedy the lack of inquiry into how sublime discourse is used to engage audiences with elements of the Anthropocene, in particular, climate change. Based on the analysis of two documentaries, Chasing Ice and Chasing Coral, I find that the sublime response to the Anthropocene and the films’ modifications to the sublime rhetoric pattern are novel and uniquely engage audiences with climate change, to varying degrees of success. Ultimately, I argue that such sublime rhetoric is capable of overcoming the constraints associated with communicating the diffuse and overwhelming threat of climate change, demonstrating its viability in this instance of the Anthropocene.

Recommended Citation

Quartz, Sean D., "The climate change sublime: Leveraging the immense awe of the planetary threat of climate change" (2019). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11428.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11428