Ecological Crisis from Children’s Perspective: Lessons Learned and Their Importance in Shaking Up Social Awareness

The Mar Menor (Murcia, Spain) has faced a eutrophication crisis in recent decades, significantly affecting local residents, including children. Considering the importance of involving children in scientific activities and the potential societal benefits of working with them, we conducted two environmental citizen science activities with students from the Los Nietos school. The study aimed to evaluate their knowledge about the Mar Menor crisis, understand their opinions and experiences, and assess the broader social impact of these activities. The children first created drawings related to the Mar Menor during a visit to Los Nietos beach, followed by a survey completed weeks later. Analysis of the drawings and survey responses revealed that while children may not fully grasp the causes of the ecological catastrophe, they are aware of its existence and maintain a hopeful perspective on the lagoon’s future. Additionally, a social network analysis of texts referencing children highlighted the societal reach of their actions and voices regarding the Mar Menor crisis. Our findings demonstrate that citizen science activities not only engage and educate children but also position them as influential communicators within their communities. This underscores the potential of such initiatives to amplify environmental awareness and drive social change by empowering younger generations as advocates for ecological sustainability.