Climate change acknowledgment to promote sustainable development: A critical discourse analysis of local action plans in coastal Florida

Globally, the consequences of climate change have rapidly necessitated local government action to mitigate and adapt rising sea levels, increased storm frequency, higher temperatures. Acknowledgement underlying issues, however, varies widely across regions towns. Using critical discourse analysis (CDA), this paper evaluates acknowledgment five municipality sustainability plans (SAP) in coastal Florida broader implications for sustainable development. Public pressure, environmental champions, recent events causing infrastructure damage were identified as key factors underpinning acknowledgement. Notably, that admitted anthropogenic causes more optimistic focused. By emphasizing mitigation efforts opportunities, they empowering than those treated threats inevitable external circumstances. Anthropogenic is thus a powerful tool governments catalyze when developing their goals plans.