Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 6.1
Applying Hajer's story-lines
Link to Dominant
Oppositional
Discourses
Story- lines
Aborigines
Pro-burning
Fire as a cultural practice of traditional
owners and custodians of land, embodying
local indigenous knowledge
Linked to
History of repression, suppression and
removal of Aborigines leading to loss of
knowledge
Government
scientists
Pro-burning
Human intervention in natural systems
needed to ensure conservation of habitats
and ecosystems
Elaborated as
Burning as promoting habitat diversity;
and
Burning as 'fuel reduction' preventing
larger-scale, 'natural' i res
Pastoralists
Pro-burning
Burning is environmentally benei cial
(through stabilizing ecosystems) but also
economically benei cial (through providing
fodder, safe mustering of cattle and
promoting tourism)
Wattle Hills
Anti-burning
Letting 'nature take its course' will
promote environmental quality and
economic benei ts
Independent
scientists
Anti- burning
Scientii c knowledge does not support
burning; too much uncertainty about
impacts of burning
Linked to
Global stories of biodiversity
maintenance, rainforest protection and
endangered species
simple construction of the two opposition discourses, Hajer's approach
highlights that any construction of a broad 'anti' or 'pro' discourse coali-
tion depends on how much the individual story-lines being used by actors
support or undermine each other. It is notable here, therefore, that the
three pro-burning story-lines all represent to some extent a dif erent take
on the same underlying story about human engagement with nature.
There is a strong emphasis in the Aboriginal story-line on the historic
