The Visual Grammar of Online Faith-linked Climate Activism

Case studies of grassroots “moana” theologies in Oceania

Abstract

Climate change is dramatically impacting communities. Grassroots and indigenous faith-linked organisations in the Pacific are responding by using digital technologies to share stories and to advocate for justice. Most digital research occurs in the USA and Europe. However, the study of grassroots and indigenous digital activism yields important ecclesial insights about the nature of eco-theologies generated in the Global South. This paper presents research on online grassroots digital activism by three faith-linked groupings in Tonga, Solomon Islands and Fiji. Theologically, case studies of grassroots digital activism provide vivid illustrations of how public theologies might engage missionally with the multifaceted challenges facing contemporary society. Methodologically, the use of visual images in faith-linked digital activism is interpreted by applying concepts of “visual grammar” to digital images. The results indicate that the visual images of digital activist organisations in the Pacific centre an ocean or “moana” eco-praxis that is immersive, communal and prayerful. Theoretically, the research challenges existing Eurocentric theorisations of digital activism and centres local and indigenous meaning-making as primary sources in decolonial knowledge-making. Ecclesiologically, the praxis of these digital activist organisations demonstrates how digital technologies contribute to new forms of Christian organising and the role of gender and lay leadership in the mission of God in a climate emergency.