As we develop and scale solutions to the climate crisis, how we communicate that information might matter most. Climate work is full of complex science, knotty systemic barriers, and new solutions that need to be more broadly understood and implemented. But information alone does not necessarily lead to action or meaningful impact. Better understanding how to craft powerful communications is at the core of TED Senior Fellow Yana Buhrer’s work:
“I started looking at insights from cognitive science … what makes people care and what compels them to act. All of these different fields of science agree that opinions change not through more information, but through compelling empathy and interesting experiences. Storytelling is king and personal stories work. We should always be trying to provoke emotion.”
Recent research suggests that art can be an effective way to enhance our communications on environmental topics. Artwork can help convey complex data while simultaneously tapping into emotion and memory, which increases the likelihood of tangible action and behavior change.
This was part of the inspiration to create Artists for Climate, an initiative that supports a growing coalition of artists as they explore climate issues and solutions, and how to support climate action through their work. Four years ago, TED Countdown and Yana’s global creative studio for social impact, Fine Acts, launched the initiative with a global call for contributing artists. It has since evolved into an ongoing series of creative bootcamps called SPRINTS, where local artists come together to envision a better climate future through their work. A growing community of more than 100 artists have now contributed their talents to the initiative, resulting in a collection of 50 fee-free illustrations that can be used in climate communications.
The striking and diverse collection conveys both the universality of the climate challenge, and how it is reflected in specific cultures and communities. The available artworks highlight a range of issues, raising awareness around clean energy, local farms, waste, extinction, and more. The artists have highlighted solutions across sectors — from reuse in fashion and planting trees, to building electrical grids and cleaning up oceans.
And the collection includes many different strategies for change cultivated by organizations working in the climate space. Whether your initiative is focused on supporting youth, lifting up frontline voices, getting out the vote, or creating coalitions, you will find a piece to further your message. And the works capture a powerful range of emotions — humor, sorrow, frustration, hope, and the bizarre.
Activists, grassroots organizations, nonprofits and individual citizens have already taken advantage of this free resource to enhance their events, education initiatives, written communications and social media. Artists have created a range of formats that are suitable for print and digital spaces. And during a recent SPRINTS bootcamp at TEDx Vincenza, the artists even created a digital soundtrack to accompany the work.
Explore the full collection at The Greats and download a personal art library to help you craft richer, more engaging stories. You’ll also be supporting the work of independent artists who are committed to solving the climate crisis.
