Youth Climate Engagement Through Head, Heart, and Hands: A Qualitative Study in New York City

• In Event: Emotions, identities, and engagement in climate change education

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how young adults in New York City engage with climate change cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally using the Head, Heart, and Hands (HHH) framework. Based on 66 open-ended surveys and four semi-structured interviews, findings reveal that participants’ understanding is shaped by both formal education and lived experiences. At the same time, emotional responses, such as anxiety, guilt, and hope, reflect both personal and cultural tensions. Climate-related actions range from public protests to quiet, nature-based reflection. Rather than proceeding linearly, engagement often follows a dynamic cycle across cognition, emotion, and action. Findings highlight the importance of integrating emotional processing, experiential learning, and collective action into climate change education to support meaningful and sustained youth engagement.

Authors

• Renda Sun, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Felicia Moore Mensah, Teachers College, Columbia University