Environmental mainstreaming: facets and theoretical concepts

Abstract

The environment assumes a pivotal role in today's world, one that transcends the escalating number of natural disasters and environmental crises featuring in media headlines. Indeed, it embodies a multifaceted domain of knowledge, marked by profound interdisciplinary breadth and flexibility, capable of connecting diverse phenomena. Its influence extends to the cognitive systems of individuals, permeating every arena where they interact and engage. Although environmental studies have traditionally centered on rigorous scientific assertions regarding climate change and physical transformations of our surroundings, humanities disciplines persist in dissecting the individual-environment dynamic through multidimensional lenses. This approach facilitates the exploration of empirical and pragmatic perceptions that can yield systemic insights and solutions. Consequently, this paper aims to present a scholarly analysis of the most influential humanities branches that project a symbiotic viewpoint of the environment. These branches significantly shape our conduct, both on an individual level and as part of a holistic, systemic thought process. Specifically, we have curated the most relevant aspects from a range of disciplines, including ecological anthropology, ecolinguistics, environmental journalism, literary ecocriticism, environmental racism, eco-literacy, and textual genres, for this paper. These facets provide a deeper, enriched perspective on environmental studies, underscoring the integral and interconnected nature of our relationship with the environment.