Story
This research is a collaborative effort between the Climate Institute, Cothink Research, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The project aims to explore how Indonesian youth perceive climate change and examine whether their personal values influence these perceptions. Additionally, the research seeks to identify factors that contribute to young people’s willingness to engage in climate change-related activities.
Our Approach
Given the exploratory nature of the research, a qualitative approach was selected. The study includes a series of online In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving key stakeholders—namely Indonesian youth, climate experts, and others actively involved in local climate advocacy.
Findings
Awareness of climate change issues appears to be concentrated among educated youth in urban areas, creating an “information bubble.” In contrast, youth in regions such as Pekanbaru, Siak, and the outer islands of Bali report experiencing the direct impacts of climate change. Interestingly, some respondents from Jakarta view recurring climate-related disasters like floods as normal, highlighting a dangerous normalization of climate risks. This disconnect underscores the urgent need for improved education and prioritization of climate-related problems across all regions.