Department of Theatre, Dance & Performance

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10315/43492

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    Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access ,
    Role of the arts and culture in addressing the health impacts of climate change
    (World Health Organization, 2026-04-27) Sajnani, Nisha; Shaheed, Ameer; Fietje, Nils; C. de Araújo-Jorge, Tania; Bailey, Christopher; Bahr, Elisabeth; Banerjee, Sanchayan; Bilodeau, Chantal; Brinza, Tessa; Garrett, Ian; Schieffelin-Gersie, Alida; Honti, Pal; Minkoff, Marla; Moula, Zoe; Munson, Samantha; Norn, Annesofie; Owokotomo, Kofoworola; Stapleton, Stephen; Wright, Tarah
    Climate change is a growing public health emergency whose impacts extend beyond physical illness to mental, social and cultural well being. Technical solutions alone are insufficient: effective climate–health action also requires cultural transformation that addresses the values, behaviours and social norms driving environmental harm. This policy brief synthesizes evidence from a rapid literature review, an international expert survey and global case studies to examine how arts and culture can strengthen climate–health responses. Findings show that arts based approaches make climate–health links more tangible, improve risk communication and enhance public understanding by translating complex science into accessible, emotionally resonant forms. Participatory and community based arts activities support adaptation and resilience by providing spaces to process eco anxiety, trauma and loss, strengthening social connection and enabling collective agency. Emerging examples also highlight contributions to mitigation through shifts in norms, practices and sustainable cultural production. Despite growing public demand and increasing recognition in global frameworks, arts and culture remain underutilized in climate–health policy. The brief outlines priority actions for integrating cultural approaches into mitigation, adaptation and communication efforts and calls for coordinated investment, partnership and research to scale effective, equitable and culturally grounded climate–health strategies.
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    Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access ,
    The role of the arts at the intersection of climate change and public Health: findings from an international survey
    (Informa UK Limited, 2025-12-07) Bahr, Elisabeth; Munson, Sammi; Wright, Tarah; Minkoff, Marla; Shaheed, Ameer; Brinza, Tessa; Moula, Zoe; Garrett, Ian; Bilodeau, Chantal; Sajnani, Nisha
    Background Climate change poses significant and escalating threats to public health globally, affecting physical and mental health through direct impacts such as extreme weather events and indirect pathways including food insecurity and displacement. Despite growing recognition of culture and the arts as potential resources for health promotion and climate action, the specific role of the arts in addressing climate-related health impacts remains under-explored and suboptimally integrated into public health and environmental policy frameworks. Objective To investigate the role of the arts in addressing the health impacts of climate change from the perspective of experts working at the intersections of arts, health, and climate action. Methods A cross-sectional survey study using snowball sampling recruited participants with self-identified expertise at the intersections of arts, health, and climate change. The survey instrument collected qualitative data on perceived roles of arts-based interventions in this domain and barriers to their implementation. Responses were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns. Results Seventy-nine participants (N = 79) from diverse geographic regions globally completed the survey. Analysis revealed four meaningful roles that the arts can play in addressing climate-related health impacts: (1) bringing people together to build community and solidarity; (2) raising awareness and communicating complex information; (3) solving problems collectively; and (4) providing space for emotional processing and healing. Four primary barriers to expanding arts-based work were identified: (1) funding limitations; (2) other resource constraints; (3) collaboration challenges; and (4) lack of recognition and legitimacy. Conclusions The arts offer multiple pathways for addressing the health impacts of climate change, though structural barriers limit their implementation and scale. Findings have implications for policymakers, climate scientists, artists, and healthcare professionals seeking to integrate arts-based approaches into climate-health interventions and adaptation strategies.