A Strategic Nature: Public Relations and the Politics of American Environmentalism

Public relations has dominated public understanding of the natural environment for over one hundred years, shaping our understanding of environmental crises and responses. PR techniques have evolved to control public perception, affecting how institutions and individuals conceptualize environmental problems. A Strategic Nature reveals the linkages of professional strategists, information politics, and environmental standards, showing how PR restricts alternative paths to a sustainable climate future.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

A comprehensive exploration of the pervasive influence of public relations on public perception of the natural environment spans over a century. In their book, "A Strategic Nature," Melissa Aronczyk and Maria I. Espinoza delve into public relations as a powerful social and political force that shapes our understanding of the environmental crises we confront and our responses to them. Through extensive interviews, ethnography, and archival research, Aronczyk and Espinoza meticulously document the evolution of public relations techniques aimed at controlling public perception of the environment since the early twentieth century.

Extending beyond mere spin or misinformation, public relations exerts a profound impact on how institutions and individuals conceptualize environmental issues. From conservation to coal mining to carbon credits, PR shapes the way we perceive and address these complex challenges. By unveiling the interconnectedness of professional strategists, information politics, and environmental standards, "A Strategic Nature" reveals how public relations imposes limitations on alternative pathways toward a sustainable climate future.

This insightful book offers a valuable perspective on the complex dynamics between public relations, power, and environmental discourse. It sheds light on the strategies employed by corporations and governments to shape public opinion and influence policy decisions, highlighting the need for critical scrutiny and alternative narratives to promote a more sustainable and equitable relationship between humans and the natural world.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190055356