Format/Structure

Memes increasingly shape public debates about climate change, environmental conflicts and activism. This workshop explores how digital humour can both reinforce and challenge narratives around ecological crises and socio-environmental justice.

Long Abstract

Digital memes have become a powerful form of everyday political communication. In debates around climate change, environmental conflicts and socio-ecological justice, humour and viral images increasingly shape how problems, actors and responsibilities are represented.

From a political ecology perspective, these digital artefacts are not trivial forms of humour but sites where struggles over knowledge, legitimacy and power unfold. Memes can trivialise ecological crises, mock environmental movements or spread climate denial narratives. At the same time, they can also be used by activists and grassroots movements to communicate complex environmental issues, mobilise publics and challenge dominant narratives.

This interactive workshop explores the role of memes in contemporary socio-ecological conflicts. Drawing on examples from Latin America and Europe, participants will analyse how humour, visual stereotypes and simplified narratives shape political imaginaries around environmental issues.

The workshop will combine visual analysis and participatory exercises. First, participants will work in small groups analysing printed memes related to environmental conflicts, climate politics and ecological activism. They will discuss the emotions, narratives and power relations embedded in these images. In a second stage, participants will collaboratively create memes inspired by socio-ecological conflicts, reflecting on how humour can both reproduce and challenge dominant discourses.

By engaging directly with the production and interpretation of memes, the workshop aims to foster critical reflection on how digital humour influences public understanding of environmental crises and socio-ecological justice.