Exploring Lived Experiences of Climate Change in a Remote Indonesian Coastal Community

Abstract

Climate change has become a central focus in environmental and sustainability sciences, especially concerning its impact on vulnerable coastal communities. While previous studies have examined ecological and economic consequences, less is known about how individuals subjectively experience environmental disruptions in their daily lives. This study addresses the gap by asking: how do members of a remote Indonesian coastal community perceive and make sense of climate change through their lived experiences? Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, this research reveals the complex emotional, cultural, and existential meanings that individuals attach to environmental transformation. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten long-term residents and analyzed using thematic interpretation to uncover recurring experiential themes. Four major themes emerged: emotional uncertainty, cultural resilience, experiential adaptation, and displacement trauma. These findings illustrate that climate change is experienced not only as a physical threat but as a disruption to identity, tradition, and belonging. The results underscore the importance of integrating local narratives and lived experience into climate adaptation strategies, offering new insights into the human dimensions of environmental change. This study contributes to a deeper, context-rich understanding of coastal vulnerability and lays the groundwork for future research that centers human meaning-making in climate discourse. However, the study is limited by its small sample size and single-community focus, which may restrict the generalizability of findings. Despite this, the insights provide practical implications for policymakers and community leaders, particularly in designing culturally sensitive adaptation strategies that align with local values and lived realities.