Environmental Science as a Discourse
Community
The History of Environmental Science
In 1896, a Swedish scientist first proposed the concept of the greenhouse effect in relation to
rising surface temperatures on Earth. Since then, the acknowledgement of environmentalism in
regards to climate, as well as a whole, has
only grown exponentially. Within the
scientific community, the topic and
dedication to the sciences of the natural
world has grown to become the
foundation of environmental science,
where understanding of ecology, biology,
and chemistry are used to solve problems
facing the natural world on Earth. More
recently, the exploration of anthropogenic
factors and what they mean for the future
of humanity has evolved and turned into a topic that concerns every individual and company on
earth.
Discourse Communities
Within this diverse discipline, specialists must be able to communicate to both one another, and
to those out of the scientific community to reach a greater understanding of the natural world and
how it concerns every person living on earth. All true specialities have a community of people
who operate under common goals and values. These groups have been defined as discourse
communities and have a key role in human advancement as a whole. Discourse communities of
all kinds almost always will meet the following qualifications:
1. Common interests and/or goals: Those in the discourse community share similar
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interests, purposes, and agendas they are working toward. This is the primary starting
point of all discourse communities, a shared topic whether it is a passion or a profession.
Mechanisms of communication: Both physical places of communication, and strategies
of communication go towards the completion of a discourse community. Some examples
of places where communities can communicate include classrooms, conferences, labs,
academic journals, and social media.
Common genres: Genres cover the actual style and mode of communication within the
community. These genres can include things like emails, articles, lab journals and reports.
Specialized lexis: The vocabulary and words used when talking inside of the discourse
community. Oftentimes this language is used to make things comprehensible and
condensed so that more time and effort can be devoted to actually talking about the new
idea, not just building up to it. This shared language allows for a streamlined path of
communication.
Experts/mentors: These people are the backbone of every community and provide
structure for newcomers to rely on when first learning the ropes. Whether it is a
recognized hierarchy or more abstract, these people serve as teachers and pass on
knowledge and experiences to each new generation.
Education
So much is taught in the American public school system about environmental science before the
topic of environmental science is even comprehended. In middle school, biomes and climate are
introduced while children at even younger ages learn about the natural world in their own
backyards through topics of metamorphosis and mammals. It is difficult to even consider the first
mention of environmental science in a student since it simply surrounds us from all angles. This
early education and awareness of course leads to a further understanding of environmental
science and why it might be interesting in
general. This paves the way for students to go
onto higher education to learn more and in
turn continue to teach those around them.
When those who are interested go beyond the
required curriculum, the field is opened up to
certifications and abilities needed to work in
the physical environmental field. Whether it is
for research purposes where lab safety and
highly specific measurements are needed, or
where outdoor work requires trail comprehension and the appropriate use dangerous equipment,
the education needed to practice environmental science range greatly.
Threshold Concepts
When knowledge pertains to the abstract and not particularly tangible side of science and other
discourse communities in general, threshold concepts are introduced.
Similar to discourse communities, threshold concepts have a list of requirements that bind them
to being threshold concepts in the first place. Unlike any other concept, a threshold concept is an
idea that has a profound impact on the beholder. It is transformative and creates the space to
learn and change views and opinions. Unfortunately, these concepts are often troublesome and
have a somewhat negative impact on those who understand it. By that definition, they are also
concepts that cannot simply be forgotten. They are highly important and are necessary to
understand before being admitted to a discourse community in order to fully reap the benefits
and knowledge of those already in the community.
In the environmental field, these concepts usually center around things like biodiversity and
sustainability- two critical factors in the future of Earth as we know it. The meaning of
biodiversity is the richness and variety of a species in one ecological area; however, one of the
issues surrounding threshold concepts are their actual definitions. As U.S. Fish & Wildlife ranger
Don C. Delong described it, “definitions of biodiversity range in scope” and cannot be taken for
granted as a static statement or idea. Threshold concepts in the modern environmental field are
more than often troublesome as there is so much currently going downhill in terms of world
health and ecological balance, hence the immense importance of environmentalism today.
Research
In every field of science there exists
a mass amount of research. Research
done in labs, the field, among
people, and so many other
classifications of work. So much of
science is attributed to knowing what
questions to ask in the first place.
Kinds of questions experts ask and
how they work to find those answers
is arguably the most important
aspect to science as a whole.
Another often overlooked part of
science in general is how specialists
choose to communicate these
answers with one another. Whether it
is through papers, diagrams, or graphs and charts, scientists need solid and cohesive evidence to
support their theories and accurately explain them to others.
Professional Practice
Professionals in the environmental field work in places extremely similar to most every other
scientific field. Those involved in environmental science professions often work at labs, for
scientific journals, company sustainability positions, and countless other areas where
environmental science can be applied. A large percentage of graduates with environmental
degrees find work in governmental branches such as the Fish & Wildlife Service and their
countless positions across America and affiliated islands. Environmental specialists are sought
after in the engineering sphere where construction cannot begin without clearance from
environmental agencies. When it comes to how that work is communicated to others, the most
common forms will be as lab/academic reports, in conferences, and on social media both
educationally and leisurely.
Public Engagement
When people of the environmental community are able to understand and describe biodiversity
and its constituents, they are then able to dive deeper into what it means to support diversity both
around them, and around the world. Oftentimes, while research and understanding exists, there is
a disconnect between groups of people that lead to the inability to communicate this knowledge.
Once understood, people will not forget the impacts biodiversity has on our own lives. When
hearing about modern problems threatening the safety of ecological biodiversity, those who
understand the concept will also grasp the
significance and gravity of the situation.
There are so many ways that specialists engage
with the public community to both explain
environmental sciences, and go behind the scenes
to serve the public in everyday locations. In “The
Growing Awareness and Prominence of
Environmental Sustainability” by Columbia author
Steve Cohen, multiple surveys and tests exemplify
the willingness of the public to be engaged in
environmental concerns. The facts spread to the
general public come through social media and other
educational campaigns and presentations in schools and the like. These presentations often cover
a few of the reasons environmental topics are so important to those listening. Sometimes topics
include sustainable farming and its positive impact on food insecurity, or how responsible
construction could help reduce water damage and unaffordable housing.
The current threat to our environment often creates the opportunity for change in day to day life
for people of all communities. As environmentalists, those who have the knowledge and
resources to do so have a responsibility to inform the public of direct consequences losing a
healthy ecosystem would have on a more personal level. If this concept is understood throughout
communities not only belonging to the environmental one, a constructive, valuable effect will
result.
Hopefully, this effect will be one that will continue to shape our Earth and society for the better.
Citations:
DeLong, Don C. “Defining Biodiversity.” Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006), vol. 24, no. 4,
1996, pp. 738–49. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3783168. Accessed Oct. 19 2023.
Cohen, Steve. “The Growing Awareness and Prominence of Environmental Sustainability.” State
of the Planet, 19 Sept. 2022,
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/09/19/the-growing-awareness-and-prominence-o
f-environmental-sustainability/. Accessed Oct. 19 2023.
Media Attributions:
https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-ssjby Image 1: Conifer forest with lush undergrowth licensed
under public domain free for personal and commercial use, no attribution required.
https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=biodiversity&search_type=usertyped&asset_id=305661651
Image 2: Pollinators on lavender licensed through Adobe Stock Education License.
https://www.teachstarter.com/au/blog/interesting-butterfly-facts-for-kids/ Image 3: Monarchs
metamorphosing licensed under CC Attribution.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biodiversity_Loss_and_Enclosure_of_Living_Organis
ms.png Image 4: “Biodiversity Loss and Enclosure of Living Organisms” by S. Nicki Youngsma
is licensed under CC Attribution and Share Alike 4.0.
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/622471 Image 5: Garbage Truck Dumping licensed under public
domain free for personal and commercial use, no attribution required.