Activity 4.2 Environmental Policy Frameworks - Vivianna Vando

Frameworks

The frameworks I’m working with focus on how we understand and react to nature and environmental conflict. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Identity is about how we see ourselves in relation to nature.
  • Characterization refers to how we define what nature is to us—whether it’s a home, a simple resource, or an escape.
  • Context/Frames look at how our surroundings or situations shape the way we interpret a conflict or issue.
  • Context/Identity combines the impact of the situation with our sense of self, asking how conflict changes how we see ourselves.
  • Characterization/Frames are about how we view other people or groups within an environmental context.

Justification

The reading provided definitions for these frameworks, but I saw them a bit differently and adapted them to better fit my perspective. For example, Bryan (2003) talks about how conflict has both complex and dynamic contexts that influence how we see things. He provides examples showing how people approach and respond to these situations. Context by itself already shapes our perceptions, but when you pair it with frames and identity, the impact feels more personal and nuanced.

For me, combining context and frames means asking questions like, “What’s currently influencing how I see this situation?” or, “What’s changing my perspective on this conflict?” I think these two concepts work well together because they highlight how external factors and our internal interpretations interact.

I chose these frameworks because they focus on the variety of ways we can see ourselves, others, and the conflicts we’re part of. Here’s how I view each one:

  • Identity: This is how we see ourselves or others in nature. For example, when I look at a garden filled with all kinds of flowers, it reminds me of my volleyball team. We’re all unique, but together we create something beautiful, like that diverse garden.
  • Characterization: Nature can mean different things to different people. Some see it as a resource—like when discussing deforestation for paper or furniture. Others see it as a home for wildlife and want to preserve it.
  • Characterization and Frames: This is how we judge others based on their actions in an environmental context. For instance, when I see people littering at the beach or park, I automatically assume they’re messy and probably disorganized in other areas of their lives, like at home.

Why These Frameworks?

These frameworks resonate with me because they focus on how perception shapes our actions and opinions. Bryan (2003) emphasizes that where you stand in a conflict often depends on where you sit—meaning your perspective is shaped by your experiences and context. That idea stuck with me, so I connected it to identity and frames.

When I see a garden, I relate it to my own identity and how teamwork can create something beautiful. When I think about characterization, I reflect on how nature holds different meanings for everyone. And when I think about context, I realize how much the situations we’re in influence not only how we see conflicts but how we see ourselves.

These frameworks helped me tie all of this together. They provide a way to explore how we view environmental issues and each other in a way that feels personal but still tied to broader concepts from the readings.

References

  • Bryan, T. (2003). Context in environmental conflicts: Where you stand depends on where you sit. Environmental Practice, 5(3), 256-264.
  • Davis, C. B., & Lewicki, R. J. (2003). Environmental conflict resolution: Framing and intractability. Environmental Practice, 5(3), 200-206.
  • Wondolleck, J. M., Gray, B., & Bryan, T. (2003). Us Versus them: How Identities and Characterizations Influence Conflict. Environmental Practice, 5(3), 207-213.

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