Climate Diaries: a visual participatory methodology to reflect on Climate Crisis and Mobility

The University of Bologna (UniBo), partner of the Climate of Change project, carried out a multidisciplinary research and designed educational activities related to the climate change-migration nexus. Among other quantitative and qualitative tools, visual methods were applied as a means to test and challenge the stigmatised representations of the climate crisis and of climate migrants as victims or as a threat. 

UniBo adopted the innovative ‘Climate Diaries’ methodology by asking participants in each case study country (Cambodia, Guatemala, Kenya, Senegal) to share photos and perceptions of the climate crisis over a four-week period through a WhatsApp group.

Climate Diaries were chosen as a suitable method for a number of reasons:

• They help visualise the impact on the lives and livelihoods of those on the frontline of the climate crisis.
• They allow testing an inclusive and accessible methodology to give time and space to participants so they can give their personal perspective in a creative way.
• They help to better understand the real perception of the climate crises.
• They help to bring out the connections between the climate crisis and the mobility of people.
• They help to understand how the economic, social, political and cultural background affects the perception of the climate crisis.
• They allow testing a digital tool as a research medium.

The attachment includes a presentation of the Climate Diaries methodology, including insights into the key terms it is based on, case studies of its application and a description of an activity delivered by the Climate of Change project at the September 2022 Tallinn DEAR Exchange Hub. 

The file is an annex to the DEAR Exchange Hub report - further information about the Exchange Hub and other research insights can be found there.