Climate Justice through Development of Climate Terminology:

Effective climate mitigation and adaptation require not only scientific knowledge but also precise, accessible language that enables communities to understand risks, participate in planning, and adopt protective measures. In the Somali language context, growing institutional attention to climate risks has not yet been matched by systematic, standardized development of Somali-language climate terminology. This paper synthesizes the literature on linguistic justice, environmental justice, and indigenous/local knowledge (ILK) to argue that the development of Somali climate terminology is a critical enabler of equitable climate action. Drawing on recent policy documents, NGO reports, and emerging Somali-language initiatives, the paper assesses existing gaps. It proposes a detailed empirical design to validate and operationalize a standardized Somali climate lexicon through participatory fieldwork, iterative piloting, and institutional adoption. The methodological protocol includes lexical elicitation, comprehension testing, early-warning message trials, and co-production workshops with pastoralist knowledge-holders, educators, and meteorological services.