Oral History and the Climate Crisis: Listening in the Aftermath of Disaster

This article discusses the climate justice projects of the Oral History Lab at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. The lab’s oral history and documentary filmmaking program for students and workshop series for mutual aid organizations explore the value of eyewitness testimony in resituating narrators who have been disempowered by disaster and marginalization. The article emphasizes the importance of decolonial and anti-racist methodologies and trauma-informed approaches in postdisaster research. Ultimately, the lab’s qualitative, community-based data sets are crucial for frontline communities and external stakeholders in making informed decisions.