Divisive Discourse on the 2019–2020 Climate Change Effects among Tanzanian Stakeholders

Abstract

Promoting climate change discourses may potentially create a useful space
for addressing the effects of climate change in Tanzania. During disasters
such as floods, everyone obfuscates their agency and blames the other for
causing climate change effects. This paper examines the discourse of climate
change among scientists, government officials, and the non-scientific
Tanzanian stakeholders on climate change and adaptation strategies after
the 2019-2020 effects. These actors obfuscate responsibilities and attribute
blame on the other for accelerating climate change effects. This paper
examines how these attributions contribute to enhancing resilience and
adaptation strategies. The paper was theoretically guided by the divided
subject and positioning theories. Data for this paper were gathered from
YouTube covering the subject. The results suggest that while none of the
actors accepts responsibility for accelerating climate change; “what is
happening and what should be done” gradually turn into “who is responsible
for the mess”. Divisive discourse like this is likely to keep Tanzania wobbling
to create a resilient society to confront the challenges of climate change. The
paper raises the need for the facilitation of a better communication between
climate change science and the non-scientific audience.