Implicating animals: the symbolic power of scapegoating animals in marine pollution debates

摘要: Animals are often used as symbols in policy debates and media accounts of marine pollution. Images miserable oil-soaked birds mammals prominent following high profile oil spills such the Exxon Valdez, Prestige Pacific Adventurer incidents. Portrayed hapless victims, these animal actors not only cast powerful effects anthropogenic pollution but also represent an environment crisis. Animals, like broader environment, seen something which is acted upon. Less attention has been given to ways animals have either cause or having potential actively mitigate impacts This article explores how constructed with respect vessel-sourced sewage Through a process interpretive analysis, drawing on reports responses Australian regulatory review this study found that, when defending perceived right pollute recreational boaters implicated dogs, fish, turtles, dolphins seabirds their discourses. Scapegoating was important rhetorical feature claims-making strategies designed avoid responsibility for changing disposal practices.