'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa
A survey of children in the small Pacific Island state of Samoa was undertaken through focus groups and drawings. This primary study of children of different ages demonstrated that children were aware of local environmental changes including those triggered by climate change. The majority of Samoan...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Island Studies Journal
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Island Studies Journal |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.24043/001c.88472 |
| _version_ | 1797366167372824576 |
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| author | Anita Latai Niusulu Tautalaaso Taulealo John Connell |
| author_facet | Anita Latai Niusulu Tautalaaso Taulealo John Connell |
| author_sort | Anita Latai Niusulu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A survey of children in the small Pacific Island state of Samoa was undertaken through focus groups and drawings. This primary study of children of different ages demonstrated that children were aware of local environmental changes including those triggered by climate change. The majority of Samoan children of both genders were aware of the multiple dimensions of climate change affecting Samoa, namely rising temperatures, heavier rainfall, stronger winds, cyclones, and how these affected to varying degrees different parts of Samoa. Sea level rise was perceived to be a feature of future, rather than, current climate change. Gender variations reflected domestic activities of children, while village location influenced observations and perceptions of change. Their knowledge was informed by their experiences of recent events triggered by climate change and tectonic activities, attending school, as well as by listening to various media sources such as television and radio, and to family members. Younger children, aged 6-9 years, had a basic understanding of climate change. Older children, aged 10-15 years, were able to conceptualize future changes, and exhibited a degree of forward thinking that suggested potential resilience in the face of change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:00:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ed2800eb71eb4c70aae401b185a35e1e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1715-2593 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:00:27Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Island Studies Journal |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Island Studies Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-ed2800eb71eb4c70aae401b185a35e1e2024-01-04T15:37:04ZengIsland Studies JournalIsland Studies Journal1715-25932023-10-01Early access'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in SamoaAnita Latai NiusuluTautalaaso TaulealoJohn ConnellA survey of children in the small Pacific Island state of Samoa was undertaken through focus groups and drawings. This primary study of children of different ages demonstrated that children were aware of local environmental changes including those triggered by climate change. The majority of Samoan children of both genders were aware of the multiple dimensions of climate change affecting Samoa, namely rising temperatures, heavier rainfall, stronger winds, cyclones, and how these affected to varying degrees different parts of Samoa. Sea level rise was perceived to be a feature of future, rather than, current climate change. Gender variations reflected domestic activities of children, while village location influenced observations and perceptions of change. Their knowledge was informed by their experiences of recent events triggered by climate change and tectonic activities, attending school, as well as by listening to various media sources such as television and radio, and to family members. Younger children, aged 6-9 years, had a basic understanding of climate change. Older children, aged 10-15 years, were able to conceptualize future changes, and exhibited a degree of forward thinking that suggested potential resilience in the face of change.https://doi.org/10.24043/001c.88472 |
| spellingShingle | Anita Latai Niusulu Tautalaaso Taulealo John Connell 'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa Island Studies Journal |
| title | 'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa |
| title_full | 'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa |
| title_fullStr | 'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa |
| title_full_unstemmed | 'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa |
| title_short | 'Burn Like Hot Stones': Children's Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa |
| title_sort | burn like hot stones children s perceptions of environmental change in samoa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.24043/001c.88472 |
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