Voices of the Future: rhetoric, myth, and science in children’s climate discourse

This article addresses the rhetorical dimensions of the language of children and young people around trees and climate change. Via an analysis of statements and stories by children, made in educational settings, the complex constellation of experience, meaning, scientific understanding, mythical imagination and the affective dimensions of fear and hope, that structures children’s environmental awareness, is brought out. In particular, the mythical use to which scientific ideas and terms are put is discussed. In order to foster agency and empowerment with respect to climate futures, environmental education should not only rely on the epistemic regime of scientific thinking but should also adopt a critical rhetorical perspective.