Overview
​Climate change is a pressing issue affecting the world, leading to increased activism and demands for action. It poses risks to physical and mental health, as well as access to essential resources. Disadvantaged populations, including people of color, immigrants, and low-income groups, are particularly vulnerable due to their living conditions and lack of resources. This study examines the awareness of individuals over 18 in low-income and high-income areas about climate change's impact on vulnerable populations.
​Cultural Probe Kit
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Post-It-notes: Users will be asked to use Post-It notes to jot down what climate change means to them and how it has affected their daily lives. Those living in high-income or less populated areas may not experience the same harsh effects of climate change as those in low-income areas.
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Polaroid Camera: Users will be given a Polaroid camera to take pictures of what they feel contributes to climate change in their environment. The factors contributing to climate change may differ based on different areas, with industries and systems in power being a major cause in low-income areas, and littering and air pollution being more common in high-income areas.
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Diary: Participants will be asked to write down what they think they can do or what they are currently doing to make changes in regard to climate change. This activity will help identify differences in the ability of participants to make changes within their environment based on their socioeconomic status.
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Maps: Using maps, participants will mark heavily polluted areas or areas they feel have been most affected by climate change. Insights from this activity will show that low-income areas are more heavily impacted than high-income areas.
​Research Questions
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Who bears the primary responsibility for climate change: the powerful systems and industries, the wealthy individuals, or is everyone accountable?
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To what extent can humans bring about significant change to address climate change, and what power structures hinder our ability to do so?
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How does climate change systematically affect vulnerable communities, particularly those with limited resources and marginalized populations?
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In what ways does climate change create disadvantages for certain groups while not affecting others equally, and what factors contribute to this unequal impact?
Deployment Strategy
A probe kit will be provided to gather data on climate change and environmental justice. Minorities and people of color are disproportionately affected by climate change, a problem that has persisted since the Industrial Revolution. Developed nations like the US and the EU are responsible for the majority of emissions, while developing nations face the consequences through extreme weather events. The collected data can also reveal how the lifestyles, diets, and travel patterns of the top 1% contribute to climate change. Although everyone contributes, there is an emission disparity between the rich and the poor. Corrupt leaders in positions of power benefit from inaction, despite governments having access to policies and financing options to address climate change. While these insights shed light on contributors, determining ultimate responsibility remains challenging.
Iterations
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Choice of Cameras for the Probe Kit: Initially, I planned to use a basic digital camera for capturing visuals, but I decided to opt for Polaroid photos instead. I believe Polaroids hold sentimental value and encourage users to take their time to capture meaningful images. Unlike digital cameras, Polaroids cannot be easily deleted, adding a sense of permanence. The anticipation of the image's outcome also brings excitement. Polaroids have a unique ability to evoke emotions, which aligns with my goal of capturing insightful perspectives on climate change's impact.
Using Polaroids, I aim to explore how climate change affects users' lives.
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Inclusion of Maps in the Probe Kit: Visual representations play a vital role in understanding users' perspectives. By incorporating maps in the probe kit, I can visualize the areas affected by climate change and gauge the severity of its impact on users' lives. This enables me to gain insights into how climate change affects individuals differently. Some users may experience significant consequences, while others may be less affected. Overall, including maps in the probe kit provides a deeper understanding of climate change's effects on users.