Arts, Health and Climate Policy Brief

Climate change is an escalating public health emergency with wide-ranging impacts on physical, mental, social, and cultural wellbeing. Increasing exposure to extreme weather and environmental degradation is also contributing to rising levels of anxiety, grief, and displacement, highlighting the need for responses that go beyond technical solutions to address emotional and cultural dimensions of the crisis.

The WHO Europe and Jameel Arts & Health Lab Arts, Health and Climate policy brief explores how arts and cultural approaches can strengthen climate–health responses by improving communication, making complex evidence more accessible, and supporting public understanding. It highlights how creative practice can support wellbeing, build resilience, and foster social connection, while contributing to cultural and behavioural change and calling for greater integration of arts into climate–health policy and practice.

Credits

Directed by: The Jameel Arts & Health Lab 

Produced by: Ellevill Production AS, CULTURUNNERS, NYU Steinhardt, WHO Europe

Film excerpts provided by: Culture Declares Emergency, Ark Reimagined, Help Delhi Breathe, #ShowYourStripes, Nature on PBS, Standing Rock, Almgdad Aldikhairy, Bengaluru Moving, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra

Funded by: NYU Climate Research Seed Award