Unearthing the Voices Within: Pre-service Teachers’ Critical Perspectives on the Climate Crisis through Photovoice

Abstract

This qualitative study explores pre-service teachers’ critical perspectives on the climate crisis using the Photovoice methodology. Nine pre-service teachers documented environmental realities in their communities through photographs and accompanying narratives. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: urbanization and heat islands, deforestation, waste burning and pollution, drought and agricultural vulnerability, and flooding and infrastructure failure. The findings show that participants view climate change as both an ecological and a socio-economic concern, connecting environmental degradation with human behavior, economic survival, and gaps in policy. Photovoice proved to be a powerful tool for critical reflection and the development of environmental consciousness among future teachers.