Climate change communication, adaptation, and mitigation through the arts: a rapid scoping review

Climate crisis is inherently intersectional; it is a health crisis and a cultural crisis too. Creative and innovative approaches are essential to address the complex and unequal health and wellbeing impacts of human induced climate change. This rapid scoping review aimed to review, synthesise, and analyse empirical studies that implemented arts-based interventions to promote climate change communication, adaptation, and mitigation.

We used the methodological framework for scoping reviews set out by Arksey and O'Malley and systematically searched five major electronic databases using the PRISMA reporting guidelines.

Sixteen studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Programmes varied and included environmental art festivals, climate summits, ecological conferences, theater and open-air performances, exhibitions, musical events, fieldtrips, nature conservation and sustainability interventions. Most studies focused on climate change communication, using the arts to raise environmental awareness and translate public health messages more clearly and accessibly. Only four studies focused on climate change adaptation (e.g., arts for coping with climate emotions) and mitigation (e.g., arts for motivating cultural shifts towards low-carbon lifestyles and practices).

Arts-based programmes focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation are disproportionately low compared to climate change communication, signalling missed opportunities to leverage the benefits of the arts. Arts-based programmes delivered to public and outdoor spaces attracted audiences who were not previously interested in the arts and/or climate change, demonstrating the capacity of the arts to reach diverse audiences. Analyses of aesthetic qualities in climate-related artwork suggested that awe-inspiring nature depictions that gently motivate reflexive thinking on environmental issues were viewed more positively compared to artwork that instils didacticism and propagandization. The most impactful arts-based programmes combined emotional and cognitive activation-equipping the public with both the emotional investment and the knowledge needed to take collective environmental action, such as engaging with policymakers. Our findings suggest that the arts can help the public move beyond viewing climate change as an abstract concept, towards envisioning the tangible possibility of a different future. We argue that stronger policy integration, sustained research investment, and enhanced cross-sector collaboration are essential to realising the full potential of the arts in advancing climate communication, adaptation and mitigation, and we propose strategies to advance these priorities.