Social Construction and Problem Representation of Air Pollution in Bishkek: Perspective of Non-Governmental Actors

Abstract

Air pollution is a persistent environmental issue in Bishkek. For many years there have been numerous efforts to address the problem, most notably from non-governmental organizations, which provide technological solutions (such as installing air pollution monitors), raise public awareness, providing assistance with policy-making to governmental agencies, etc. However, over the course of years, the air quality in Bishkek continues to degrade, despite the efforts of numerous NGOs. This paper will address the issue of how non-governmental sector perceives and constructs the problem of the air pollution and its problematizations by applying a broad theory of social constructivism along. The research is conducted by applying discourse analysis of the interviews of the respondents from non-governmental organizations, as well as the independent experts working with air pollution in Bishkek. The research questions addresses the issue of how the non-governmental sector socially constructs air pollution and what the problem of air pollution is represented to be, in order to understand how discourse reveals the political space that the non-governmental sector operates in, what is necessary to do for the problem of air quality to be addressed more effectively, and key issues in power relations in Kyrgyzstan.