Climate Change – “The Measure of All Things”: The Missing Map of Climate Narratives

Abstract This study conducts a historical analysis tracing the evolution of climate change narratives from the late 1960s to the present. The analysis produces a comprehensive map of these narratives and identifies three key shortcomings that still need to be addressed in academic literature. First, there are inherent limitations to each narrative, which operate within the confines of their respective theoretical frameworks, shaped by their unique perspectives. Second, climate narratives are not isolated but interconnected; new narratives often emerge from earlier ones, forming a continuum that evolves over time. This dynamic corresponds closely to the three structural dimensions of narrative analysis. Third, existing climate narratives insufficiently incorporate perspectives from territories and cultural contexts beyond dominant Western geographies, thereby marginalising non-Western voices and experiences. As a result, many cultural and political factors that influence responses to climate change remain underrepresented, narrowing how we understand this global issue.