Visual art as a way to communicate climate change: a psychological perspective on climate change–related art

Abstract

This article discusses the possible effects of climate change–related visual art, based on a comprehensive review of the psychological research literature. Taking a psychological perspective, potential effects of confrontation with such works of art are explored and a preliminary conceptual framework is proposed about special features of art that go beyond other means of communication. Potential barriers to change are discussed, as well as promising and often overlooked aspects that can trigger long-term changes, such as inspiration. Perceiving art demands attention, and processing art requires parts of the brain that are not normally accessed by typical communications about climate change. Art typically uses novel metaphors, analogies or narratives, which climate communication generally lacks. In addition, art can provide people with visualizations of the problem and give them a personal experience with the subject-matter, which is especially important regarding climate change as many people still see it as an abstract issue that poses no direct threat. Art may also help to establish a group identity and to give people a sense of being supported in their efforts to help combat climate change.

Keywords:

• art
• climate change
• environmental communication
• psychology

Notes on contributors

Liselotte J. Roosen is a PhD-candidate working in the CLIMart project (Environmental Psychology: Climate change and art). She has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and has worked as a therapist for almost ten years prior to starting her PhD.

Christian A. Klöckner is a professor of social psychology and methods at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. His research interests are factors that influence environmentally relevant behavior, especially the interaction between structural and psychological aspects. He is also interested in innovative environmental communication.

Janet K. Swim is a professor at Penn State University and examines how social psychological factors, such as gender roles and relationships with people who are environmentalists, influence pro-environmental engagement. She is also a member of an interdisciplinary team of researchers who are training staff at informal science learning centers (e.g., zoos, aquariums, U.S. national parks) to communicate effectively about climate science.

ORCID

Liselotte J. Roosen http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0581-9843

Christian A. Klöckner http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4510-1748

Janet K. Swim http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3279-1308

Notes

1 http://highwaterline.org/nyc/artist.html (accessed 7 August 2017).

2 http://www.chrisbodle.org/ (accessed 7 August 2017).

3 http://plungelondon.com/about-plunge/ (accessed 7 August 2017).

4 http://www.gideonmendel.com/ (accessed 7 August 2017).

5 Adapted from http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/inspiration?q=inspiration (accessed 7 August 2017).

Additional information

Funding

This paper was published as part of the CLIMart project, which is funded by the Research Council of Norway (Grant 235223); Norges Forskningsråd