Environmental communication as resistance: Environmental justice and livelihood transformation

Abstract

Background: This paper examines how environmental communication functions as a contested political and communicative space within the nickel extractive frontier of Central Halmahera, Indonesia. Focusing on Waleh in Weda Utara and Kulo Jaya in Weda Tengah, the study compares two distinct but interconnected pathways of environmental and livelihood transformation associated with nickel industrial expansion. Methods: Using a qualitative interpretive comparative case-study design, the research draws on in-depth interviews, field observation, documentary and secondary sources, and thematic analysis. Findings: The findings indicate that extractive expansion affects not only ecological conditions and access to land and water, but also agricultural livelihoods, participation, and local communicative relations. In Waleh, contested territorial relations and institutional and moral mediation shape community experiences, while in Kulo Jaya, agricultural disruption and changing livelihood strategies are particularly pronounced. Conclusion: Environmental communication operates in both directions: corporate and institutional narratives may contribute to social legitimacy for extractive development, while testimonies, religious discourse, informal forums, and advocacy enable communities to articulate environmental justice claims and counter-narratives. Novelty/ Originality of this article: The study argues that environmental injustice in extractive frontiers involves distributive, procedural, and recognitional inequalities and is also a problem of communicative inequality. Strengthening two-way participation, transparent land governance, livelihood-sensitive environmental assessment, recognition of local knowledge, and credible grievance mechanisms is therefore essential to more inclusive environmental governance.