October 2026 call
Political Communication in the Face of Climate Change
Guest Editors:
- Rogelio Fernández Reyes, University of Seville
- Daniel Rodrigo-Cano, Nebrija University
- Rosalba Mancinas-Chávez, University of Seville
Introduction
Climate change is recognized as one of the primary challenges facing humanity. Despite scientific consensus and recognition by most nations, numerous lobby groups attempt to deny the science and obstruct climate action. As observed at COP30, the oil industry, petrostates, and the influence of Trump's politics have hindered the establishment of a roadmap for the fossil fuel transition.
Meanwhile, the consequences are increasingly visible and particularly catastrophic for the most vulnerable citizens across the planet. Temperature increases are accelerating in both the air and oceans, and extreme weather events are intensifying. This demands proportional action from the political sphere.
While the greatest responsibility lies with major national and corporate interests, the local context is a citizen-level domain worth exploring. From the perspective of empowerment rather than culpability, addressing the local level through political communication is a challenge that fosters bottom-up dynamics. This complements the prevailing top-down communication surrounding climate change. Furthermore, encouraging public participation in climate policy proposals fosters a sense of collective identity.
Main Research Lines
- New narratives from citizens and social movements: Youth, ecofeminism, and climate movements are fundamental political actors for changing narratives and influencing the public agenda.
- Global South proposals: Concepts such as climate justice, buen vivir (good living), decolonial ecology, and multi-species alliances.
- Deliberative processes: Climate citizens' assemblies enhance local participation and proximity to adaptation and mitigation, despite their low presence in the media agenda.
- Political polarization: Climate change is subject to biased questioning that undermines climate policy objectives.
- Disinformation and denialism: Combating misinformation and hoaxes requires proactive efforts from political communicators. It is also essential to identify and denounce denialist or obstructionist interests in politics.
- Social media and digital platforms: Using social networks as a tool for climate change communication to complement traditional media.
- Solutions journalism: Balancing climate information by accompanying risks and consequences with solutions and opportunities to avoid "eco-fatigue".
- Innovation, AI, and climate communication: The use of artificial intelligence and technological innovation raises ethical challenges regarding transparency and democratic risks.
- Images, humor, and creative narratives: The use of graphic humor, image-based campaigns, and art (painting, music, writing) as allies in climate communication.
- Ecosocial education and transformative communication: Educational strategies as fundamental elements for transforming society toward greater awareness.
Submission Guidelines
- Article Specifications
- Length: Between 6,000 and 7,000 words.
- Languages: Spanish, English, or Portuguese (at least one article in the monograph must be in a language other than Spanish).
- Originality: Manuscripts must be unpublished and not under evaluation by other publications.
- Format: Must include title, abstract, and keywords in both Spanish and English. References must follow APA 7th edition and include at least 20 high-quality academic sources.
- Submission Process
- Articles must be submitted via the journal's OJS platform (https://www.maspoderlocal.com/) before June 1, 2026.
- Two versions are required: one with full author details and one anonymized version for review.
- Evaluation Manuscripts will undergo a rigorous peer-review process to ensure quality and indexing standards.
- Publication
- Publication Date: October 2026.