Environmental Communication and its Potentialities in the Social Problems Confrontation

Abstract

This paper provides reflections over the notion of environmental communication, seeking to contribute on the construction of the concept that defines this kind of communication, considered specialized and of interface. The argument stated is that environmental communication is characterized by embracing perspectives and fundamentals of both the communication and the environmental fields, since it is situated in their interweave, emphasizing its interdisciplinary character. Initially, the epistemological bases of both fields are presented, in order to highlight the practical and theoretical articulations that occur between them. A literature review about the term is then provided, considering national and international authors, followed by the argumentation that environmental communication is not simply about dealing with thematic features of the environmental field. Finally, some reflections on its possibilities to assist in coping actions of contemporary social and environmental problems are offered.