Climate Change and the Museum

Museums, particularly industrial ones, face a critical opportunity to address climate change by reflecting on their role in climate injustice and contributing to sustainable decarbonization. A study focusing on Ironbridge Gorge (UK) and Heartlands (Cornwall, UK) reveals that while these institutions often celebrate human-induced climate alteration without critique, they can leverage the climate crisis as a catalyst for self-reflection and action. Drawing parallels with postcolonial theory, the research argues that museums must align their ambitions towards decolonization with efforts toward decarbonization to meaningfully engage with the climate challenge.

Harvey, D. C. (2023). Climate Change and the Museum. Museum Worlds, 11(1), 64–78. https://doi.org/10.3167/armw.2023.110106