Abstract

This article investigates recurrent argumentative patterns (“Topoi”), that are used by right-wing-alternative YouTube channels in the discourse on climate change. Evidently, it is not climate change as such, but the young, female actors in this field of discourse who are the subjects of the argument. In this article, four ‘vectors of attack’ are identified which delegitimize these actors: their femininity, their youth, the accusation that their actions are externally controlled and staged, as well as the accusation of religiosity. These areas of attack are linked with each other and thus further the construction of a homogenic ‘green’ enemy. At the same time, the article shows how ‘affordances’ specific to YouTube shape the discourse and argumentative contributions presented there. The multimodality of the platform promotes implicit strategies of argumentation that remain negable, while the fact, that the platform is centred around individuals, furthers the personalisation of the climate discourse. Thus, the paper shows potential discourse-specific characteristics of the climate change discourse on YouTube, but also highlights how the platform itself promotes these characteristics.