Youth-Led Climate Action Education in Pacific Island Communities
Keywords:
youth-led education, climate action, Pacific Islands, community engagement, indigenous knowledge, climate advocacyAbstract
Pacific Island communities face unprecedented climate challenges, with rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and ecosystem degradation threatening their existence. This study examines youth-led climate action education initiatives across Pacific Island nations, exploring how young people are mobilizing communities through educational programs and advocacy. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from 45 youth climate educators across Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Results reveal four critical dimensions: community engagement strategies, indigenous knowledge integration, digital advocacy platforms, and policy influence mechanisms. Youth-led initiatives demonstrated significant success in bridging traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary climate science, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and catalyzing local climate adaptation measures.
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