Arts, Health, and Climate

Introduction

Climate change and health are two complex challenges that are closely interwoven. Statements like “the climate crisis is a health crisis” have become increasingly common in recent high-level publications and events. This research project will explore the relationship between climate change and health through the lens of artistic engagement. The project seeks to articulate how engaging in the arts can mitigate the health impacts of climate change, communicate about these impacts, and promote adaptive capacity which constitute adaptive behaviours or interventions that address the health risks posed by climate change.

Scope 

The research project launched in May 2024 with the goal to produce a policy brief by April 2025. To address the research questions, the research team will complete a rapid review of the current literature that examines the intersections of arts, health, and climate. Much of the literature  to date focuses on the role of the arts as a tool for awareness-raising, education, communication, and advocacy (Bentz, 2020; Klöckner & Sommer, 2021; Sommer & Klöckner, 2021). The rapid review will explore these areas alongside mitigation and adaptation strategies.

As part of the review of evidence, researchers will generate a public call for resources and artist projects on this topic to encourage diverse geographic and artistic representation.The public call will prioritize evidence that is not available in standard scholarly research, such as events, activities, gatherings, artistic products, and transdisciplinary practices to account for the different ways in which one can engage with this topic.

The research team will also conduct a survey with international experts who work at the intersections of the arts, health and climate. The survey will help to inform policy recommendations and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this interdisciplinary field.

Insights and Deliverables

Upon analyzing the data, researchers will translate the available evidence into a policy brief. The brief is part of a larger series initiated by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, on the role of the arts in addressing health concerns.

To further bolster the available evidence in this emerging area of research, the research team will publish a database of the resources and artistic projects that were submitted as a part of the public call for materials.

The research team will also produce scholarly manuscripts that provide greater detail about the research process, including an article on the survey methods and results.

Project Team

This project is co-led by Dr Nisha Sajnani (JA&HL, NYU Steinhardt), Dr Nils Fietje (JA&HL, WHO/Europe), and Dr. Ameer Shaheed (WHO/Europe). The research team consists of members from the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, NYU Steinhardt, the Art & Climate Initiative, Community Arts Network, Dalhousie University, Harvard University, King’s College London, Museum for the United Nations, University of Hertfordshire, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Yale University, and York University. 

Funding and Support

Support for this project was provided by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab.

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