Climate Change‐Conscious Methodologies: Ethical Research in a Changing World

Abstract

Changes in the frequency and intensity of climate‐related disasters are changing the social landscape for environmental research. Even in the most optimistic scenarios, the proportion of researchers forced to deal with the effects of climate change will continue to grow. Methodologies across disciplines need to be adaptable to meaningfully address the ethical and practical challenges of conducting research in an increasingly disaster‐prone world. In this article, we draw on insights from fields including disaster and emergency literatures and our personal experiences as researchers directly impacted by climate disasters to put forward a framework for climate change‐conscious research methodologies. This review offers considerations for ethical research in climate change‐affected communities and outlines critical areas for future research.