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.