Activity 1: Community-Centred Climate Storytelling andKnowledge Documentation

Sabah Climate Chronicles & Ground-Truthing (CC & GT)places Indigenous and local communities at the centre of climate knowledgecreation by documenting lived experiences alongside scientific climateprojections. Rather than treating communities as beneficiaries, the projectpositions them as knowledge holders whose observations of environmental changeprovide valuable insights into climate adaptation and resilience.

This ground-truthing then complements climate modelling byvalidating scientific projections with local observations gathered overgenerations. By bringing together scientific evidence and Indigenous ecologicalknowledge, the project creates a richer understanding of how climate change isexperienced across Sabah's diverse landscapes.

The project aims to integrate these narratives into the Sabah Climate Futures (SCF)website where community experiences are presented alongside climate scenariosand scientific visualisations. This creates an accessible bridge betweentechnical climate data and everyday lived realities, allowing diverseaudiences; including policymakers, researchers, educators and the widerpublic—to better understand how global climate change manifests locally.

By documenting community knowledge and top-down data in thisway, CC & GT contributes to preserving Indigenous ecological knowledgewhile strengthening public awareness of climate resilience. The projectdemonstrates that effective climate communication is not solely driven byscientific evidence but is enriched by the voices and lived experiences ofcommunities who continue to adapt to environmental change.

Activity 2: Integrating Climate Science with Local Knowledgethrough Digital Innovation

CC & GT integrates climate science, geospatialtechnologies and community knowledge through the Sabah Climate Futures digitalplatform. The platform combines climate projections, interactive visualisationsand community stories to make complex scientific information more accessibleand meaningful for policymakers, educators, researchers and the wider public.By presenting future climate scenarios alongside lived experiences, theplatform supports evidence-based adaptation planning while increasing publicunderstanding of climate risks.

A key strength of the project is its collaborative,interdisciplinary approach. Working with researchers, artists, Indigenouscommunities, communication specialists and regional partners, ClimateChronicles demonstrates how scientific research can be strengthened throughparticipatory storytelling and local knowledge systems.

Support from Ecosystem2 (E2) has further strengthened theproject's capacity for innovation, enabling greater collaboration, regionalknowledge exchange and the continued refinement of community-led climatecommunication methodologies. Through these partnerships, the projectcontributes not only to climate resilience in Sabah but also to broader regionaldiscussions on how digital technologies, participatory media and Indigenousknowledge can collectively support more inclusive responses to climate change.

The next priority is to put the Sabah Climate Change RiskScreening App prototype into the hands of the people who may use it. Governmentagencies, technical partners and Forever Sabah teams will test the app usingreal places and practical planning questions. Their experience will help usunderstand whether the maps are clear, the results are meaningful and the toolsupports better decisions. Feedback, local knowledge and available groundobservations will then be used to refine the prototype, making it moreaccessible, useful and grounded in Sabah’s realities.

Activity 3: Arts, Culture and Public Engagement for ClimateResilience

Recognising that climate change is not only a scientificissue but also a cultural and social challenge, CC & GT prioritisescreative engagement to make climate conversations more inclusive andaccessible. Through partnerships with artists, community organisations andlocal storytellers, the project uses visual arts and participatory activitiesto encourage dialogue around climate resilience.

The community filmmaking aspect equips Indigenous and localcommunities with storytelling, filming and editing skills, enabling them tobecome creators of their own narratives. Through a series of hands-on workshopsand training sessions, aspiring community filmmakers explore how climate changeis affecting their landscapes, livelihoods and cultural heritage, whiledocumenting local responses and messages for the future. The first phase isimplemented across three diverse landscapes: Segama, Pulau Jambongan, and Buayan, each representing distinct ecosystemsand climate challenges.

One of the project's key initiatives is the collaborativecommunity mural developed with Sabahan art collective Pangrok Sulap andcommunity members from Kampung Tinuhan, Tenghilan. The mural was co-createdthrough an interview that explored local memories, environmental observationsand aspirations for the future. Rather than producing artwork aboutcommunities, the mural was created with community members, ensuring localperspectives remained central throughout the creative process.

By integrating arts into climate communication, CC & GTdata might reach audiences who may not typically engage with scientific reportsor technical climate information. Creative storytelling would help make complexenvironmental issues more relatable while fostering empathy, dialogue andcollective action. Together, these activities position Climate Chronicles &Ground Truthing as a model for integrating science, technology, creativity andcommunity leadership to build a more climate-resilient future for Sabah.

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