Abstract

This study investigates the metaphorical representation of energy in contemporary news discourse. Adopting a qualitative approach grounded in Critical Metaphor Analysis and informed by an ecolinguistic perspective, the research examines how energy and energy transition are framed through conceptual metaphors. The analysis identifies six dominant metaphorical source domains and each contributes distinct cognitive, ideological, and ecological functions. The BUILDING metaphor emphasizes stability, planning, and systemic development; LIVING BEING metaphor foregrounds vitality, resilience, and interdependence; ENTITY metaphor materializes energy as a tangible and manageable object; JOURNEY and VEHICLE metaphors highlight goal-directed movement, momentum, and actionable strategies; and WAR metaphor frames energy transition as a high-stakes, competitive campaign. Collectively, these metaphors produce a multifaceted, cognitively accessible, and strategically oriented discourse, presenting energy transition as both a societal and ecological transformation. The study highlights the ecological resonance of these metaphors, demonstrating their representational and ideological implications in media discourse. These findings contribute to critical media studies, cognitive linguistics, and ecolinguistics, offering insights into the role of metaphor in shaping energy discourse and promoting environmentally responsible narratives in contemporary journalism.