Design and Development of a Localized Climate Education Platform

Climate change continues to pose major threats to food security, public health, and sustainable development, particularly in developing nations such as Zambia. This study presents the Design and Development of a Localized Climate Education Platform a web-based interactive system created to enhance climate-change awareness and understanding through contextually relevant and visually engaging learning. It combines local examples, indigenous knowledge, and multimedia tools so that global climate concepts connect to Zambia’s everyday environmental realities. A mixed methodological approach was used, drawing on Design Science Research (DSR) and Agile principles to allow cycles of design, testing, and improvement. Modern web technologies such as ReactJS, Node.js, and PostgreSQL were utilized, alongside responsive design techniques ensure accessibility across both desktop and mobile devices. It was intentionally designed to be light, easy to navigate, and flexible for different learning settings. Empirical findings from system testing revealed a System Usability Score (SUS) of 86%, with a 92% lesson completion rate and a 34% improvement in user quiz performance. These results demonstrate that localized, technology-driven education can effectively enhance climate literacy and learner engagement. The study contributes to the growing field of ICT for Development (ICT4D) by illustrating how software engineering can support environmental education and promote community participation in sustainability initiatives.