YOUTH VOICES FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Overview

This project highlights the often-overlooked environmental consequences of construction, deforestation, and industrialization, including the reshaping of natural landscapes. It draws attention to pressing issues like pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and the disproportionate effects of climate change on marginalized communities, marginalized peoples, such as lower-income, unhoused, disabled, people of color, or otherwise disadvantaged. Additionally, it emphasizes the personal and local dimensions of these challenges, encouraging reflection on what is happening in our communities.

What We Did

​We began our learning journey by exploring a digital booklet created by Front and Centered that shared ideas on how to implement a photovoice project focusing on environmental justice and environmental health disparities. We explored the Washington State Environmental Health Disparities Map to better understand the conditions in our communities. This gave us valuable insight into the environmental and climate injustices affecting our neighborhoods. As a team, we discussed meaningful ways to capture both the challenges and the strengths of our communities, ultimately choosing photovoice (a participatory action research method) as the tool to document and share our observations.

Using photovoice, we walked through our neighborhoods in the greater Seattle area, taking photos that represented what we saw as both problems and sources of pride. These included images of pollution in storm drains and sewers, crumbling infrastructure like walkways, and other signs of environmental neglect. At the same time, we made sure to highlight the beauty around us, such as green spaces, special places, and areas that brought us joy and connection.

We compiled all of these diverse perspectives into a shared Google slide deck, creating a collective story that illustrates the impact of environmental issues while celebrating community resilience and assets. This project reminded us of the value of our communities and the importance of protecting and preserving the places we call home.

What We Learned

This project has been a meaningful way for youth to explore and document environmental and climate issues in their communities, using photography as a tool for advocacy and awareness. Through this work, we learned that environmental problems do not affect everyone equally—different neighborhoods face distinct challenges, and these disparities often reflect deeper systemic inequalities.

By capturing and sharing images from our communities, we recognized the importance of ensuring everyone’s stories are heard. Photovoice became not only a way to raise awareness of local issues but also a powerful method for sparking dialogue and imagining solutions, both locally and globally. Most importantly, it helped us connect with one another, building a sense of solidarity and shared purpose as we worked together to highlight concerns and uplift the beauty and resilience within our neighborhoods.

Currently, the Youth Wisdom Council is working with the PSESD website designer to create a dedicated page on the PSESD website to highlight the powerful work being done by the Youth Wisdom Council, including their ClimeTime photovoice project.