Language Studies

Language Studies

A critical analysis of the environmental discourse of the Miankaleh Petrochemical Project in Iran newspaper

Document Type : Research original ,Regular Article

Authors
Nooshin Basati 1
Ebrahim Badakhshan 2
Akram Korani 3
1 Department of English Teaching and Linguistics, Ker.C., Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Dept. of English and Linguistics, Faculty of Language and Literature, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of English Teaching and Linguistics, Ker.C., Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran
10.30465/ls.2025.51975.2213
Abstract
Abstract
The environment plays a crucial and determining role in human life, and the prevailing discourses—particularly those addressing environmental issues and challenges—significantly shape the attitudes and behaviors of societies and governments toward such problems. The present study aims to analyze the environmental discourse of the Iran newspaper concerning the issue of the Miankaleh petrochemical project. The data consist of twelve articles published in 2022 (1401 in the Iranian calendar) that discussed the environmental aspects of constructing this petrochemical complex. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical method, and the data were examined within the framework of Stibbe’s (2015, 2021) ecolinguistic approach. The findings indicate that various discursive components can be identified in both pro- and anti-project discourses; however, the discourse of the opponents appears to be stronger and more elaborate, incorporating all nine components of Stibbe’s discourse analysis model. According to the results, the central theme emphasized by the opponents—through elements such as framing, metaphor, narrative, evaluation, and salience—is the destructive environmental consequences of the Miankaleh petrochemical project and its adverse effects on the livelihood, employment, and health of the local residents. In contrast, the proponents of the project mainly highlight its potential for job creation.
 
 
Introduction
A significant and indisputable part of human life arises from his connection and interaction with nature and the surrounding environment. The importance of attending to the environment has increased alongside urban development and the advancement of human civilization, and today governments and nations attach special significance to the environment; protecting the environment is a concern for many nations and governments. Scientific, industrial, and technological advances in contemporary societies have brought unintended and undesirable consequences for the environment, with air pollution, water pollution, and drought being examples of these environmental problems. Iran has also faced numerous environmental problems and challenges in recent decades, and this issue has been reflected not only in public discourse but also in the press, becoming a venue for discussion and exchange of views. These discourses are important because how the people—and even officials—respond to the environment and environmental problems largely depends on which discourses come to dominate the minds of society and decision-makers.
One environmental issue that has received widespread attention in Iran media discourse in recent years and has generated a wave of varied opinions and positions is the construction of the Miankaleh petrochemical plant in Behshahr county in Mazandaran province. Given the importance of this subject and the prominence and controversy of the discourse(s) formed around whether to build this petrochemical company, our aim in the present research is to examine the texts published about the Miankaleh petrochemical plant in the Iran newspaper, as one of the country’s official and well-known newspapers that largely reflects the government’s positions and views. The discourse analysis of the Iran newspaper regarding the Miankaleh petrochemical plant is carried out within the framework of ecolinguistics and specifically following the approach of Stibbe (2015, 2021). Stibbe defines ecolinguistics as “critiquing forms of language that contribute to ecological destruction, and aiding in the search for new forms of language that inspire people to protect the natural world” (Stibbe, 2015: 1).
Materials & methods
The research data consist of 12 articles published in the Iran newspaper about the Miankaleh petrochemical issue during the year 1401. After reviewing all twelve articles, the discursive components were extracted and examined according to Stibbe’s approach (2015, 2021). Stibbe built his discourse analysis model based on nine components, each of which he calls a “story.” By “story,” Stibbe means a cognitive structure in the human mind (a mental model) that determines how one perceives the world around them. These stories are: ideology, framing, metaphor, evaluation, identity, conviction, erasure, salience, and narrative.
Discussion & Result
In the reviewed articles, both the discourses of opponents and supporters of the Miankaleh petrochemical project can be found. In the opponents' discourse, the project is framed and conceptualized as a “cause of social conflict in the region” and a “threat to the lives of the area's farmers and herders.” Opponents have generally tried to highlight the environmental and social consequences of the Miankaleh petrochemical for the region and province, thereby portraying the establishment of this plant as wrong, illegal, environmentally destructive, and against the interests of local residents. Supporters of the project, on the other hand, have placed most of their emphasis on job creation and, by claiming that building the Miankaleh petrochemical plant will create jobs and welfare for local people, have sought to justify the project economically. In the proponents' discourse, the environmental and social consequences and impacts of the project have been excluded from consideration and, in fact, have been subjected to a process of erasure. Opponents of the Miankaleh petrochemical project have attempted, by citing expert analyses, legal principles, past experiences, and even scientific sources, to evaluate the project as bad, undesirable, destructive, unscientific, and even illegal. One of the discursive methods they have used is appealing to the law to legitimize their opposition to the project's implementation.
Conclusion
The results of the study showed that in the discourse of opponents of the Miankaleh petrochemical— which is stronger, more voluminous, and discursively richer—all of the mentioned components (stories) are present, whereas in the discourse of the project’s supporters only some of these components can be found. The only ideology identified in this study is the ideology of environmental protection, which is embedded in the opponents’ discourse and largely underpins the other components as well. The opponents framed this project as a source of social conflict in the region and a threat to the lives of local farmers and herders, and by using metaphors such as “industrial monster” and “scorched land” they sought to highlight the destructive effects of constructing this petrochemical project on the environment and people’s lives. In contrast, supporters of the project, using the metaphors “green industry” and “environmental game,” tried both to portray the Miankaleh petrochemical as compliant with environmental standards and to depict the opponents’ arguments as unrealistic and merely a game.
Keywords
Environmental discourse, Critical Discourse Analysis, Ecolinguistics, environment, Miankaleh Petrochemical project

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 17 May 2025
  • Revise Date 21 August 2025
  • Accept Date 10 September 2025