Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC, 1992) with obligations to develop ensuing climate change education policy. However, there is currently no Australian government climate change education policy nor corresponding school-based curriculum and pedagogy. This project aims to advance climate change education by co-researching with Indigenous and non-Indigenous children, youth, and Elders across Australia and Canada so that climate change education with Country is extended through primary and secondary schools.

The researchers will map young people’s complex climate change understandings, by collecting and sharing community knowledge through story. To do this, the research team have designed a five-phase research study whereby 200 young people (100 in Australia and 100 in Canada) are conducting collective and independent research using a supplied device (tablet) and visual diary to capture children, young people and their community’s understandings of climate change. This involves a combination of ethnographic interviews, video diaries, drawing, film, photography, painting, storytelling, language, and poetry.