Exploration of environmental perspectives in Miami through document analysis: A building block towards supporting place-based learning

Friday 3:00pm-4:00pm
Poster Session Part of Friday Poster Session

Authors

Oriana Calagna, Florida International University
Kathy Quardokus Fisher, University of Notre Dame

The study represents a deep dive into Miami's environmental landscape through a qualitative analysis of key documents. Its primary objective is to uncover pressing environmental concerns to inform the development of a culturally relevant curriculum deeply rooted in Miami's environmental movement. The impetus behind this endeavor is to empower local communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to address environmental challenges specific to their surroundings. This research is part of a broader initiative aimed at crafting place-based curriculum tailored to the needs and interests of Latine communities in South Florida.

By scrutinizing major environmental organizations' documents, we gain insights into Miami's environmental ethos and the extent of Latine involvement in the city's environmental
endeavors. Notably, our analysis identifies recurring themes within the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus, shedding light on critical environmental issues confronting Miami. Initial findings suggest a spectrum of Latine engagement, ranging from mere acknowledgment of diversity to active participation and leadership roles within the environmental movement. These insights, drawn from our preliminary analysis of website content, lay the groundwork for further categorization and deeper exploration in subsequent stages of data analysis.

Our study aims to address two central objectives: understanding Latine participation dynamics and unraveling FEW nexus themes within Miami's environmental discourse. By establishing connections between these themes, we aim to underscore the relevance of FEW issues to Latine communities in South Florida. Ultimately, our research endeavors to inform the development
of educational resources and interventions aimed at fostering pro-environmental behaviors and nurturing changemakers within Miami's diverse communities.