The symptoms of climate denial: tracing the intersections of denial, right-wing extremism and masculinity

Abstract

Confronting climate denial requires inquiries into the social factors that lend denial frames their receptivity. We seek to extend recent research focused on the role of masculinities and right-wing extremism in climate denial by integrating and elaborating upon five assertions in gender studies to postulate a Masculinist-Denial Framework. Denial advocates may find this framework a valuable discursive framing device which then attracts the sympathy of those identifying with certain masculine identities, particularly those associated with rural lifestyles and extractive industry occupations. This Masculinist Denial Framework is developed here, supplemented with an exploration of the degree to which this discursive work is embodied in the social media engagements of a sample of Albertan oil and gas workers.