Climate Relief Maps: a methodological framework for exploring everyday experiences of climate change through an intersectional lens

Abstract

The lived, everyday dimensions of climate change have generally been ignored in mainstream climate research, despite their ability to reveal new insights on this phenomenon. Capturing everyday lived experiences of climate change requires methodologies that go beyond traditional approaches, combining robust theoretical foundations with innovative technological solutions. This paper addresses this gap by introducing Climate Relief Maps (CRM), an innovative methodology designed to capture, analyze, and visualize everyday climate experiences through an intersectional lens. CRM integrates qualitative and quantitative techniques with digital tools and GIS technology, offering a multi-layered approach that highlights social, emotional, and spatial dimensions of climate change. By centering lived experiences, this methodology enables a deeper understanding of how intersecting social positions shape climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. CRM advances the study of climate change by bridging the gap between environmental science and social inquiry, fostering new insights into the human dimensions of the climate crisis.