?? Art Saves Countdown #4: Arts and Storytelling Are NOT Communications ??

When it comes to tackling the climate crisis and advancing sustainability, the United Nations plays a critical role in driving policy and action.

Yet, the language of the UN—often steeped in terms like “triple planetary threat” and filled with references to technical expertise—does not always resonate with the wider public.

Art, music, and storytelling, on the other hand, have the power to move people, create connection, and inspire action in ways that institutional language simply cannot.

To try and force technical jargon or the names of experts into artistic mediums undermines the purpose of art and storytelling.

While UN communications are essential for conveying critical information to Member States and various stakeholders, art and storytelling must be led by professional artists and storytellers who can translate and amplify this work, making it accessible and impactful for broader audiences.

The Role of Arts and Storytelling in the Climate Fight

Art and storytelling are not tools to relay institutional messaging—they are vehicles for empathy, creativity, and change. They go beyond raising awareness to challenge systems, disrupt entrenched narratives, and inspire hope.

• Art Moves, Data Informs: Where data informs, art creates connection. Climate statistics, though vital, often fail to evoke the emotional engagement needed to drive action. A film or a song, however, can make the consequences of climate change visceral and urgent.
• Storytelling Humanizes Issues: Terms like “triple planetary threat” may resonate with policymakers, but they don’t connect with people on a personal level. Storytelling brings these concepts to life by focusing on lived experiences, local impacts, and human emotions.
• Art Transcends Boundaries: Unlike institutional language, art has the ability to reach across cultural and linguistic divides. A powerful painting, a compelling film, or a haunting melody can communicate urgency and hope without the need for translation.

Why Creative Practitioners Must Lead Artistic Efforts

Art and storytelling are specialized crafts that require skill, creativity, and lived experience.

When these are treated as secondary to communications or given to those without professional expertise, their potential impact is diluted.

1. Authenticity Matters: Professional artists know how to preserve the integrity of their work while aligning it with advocacy goals. This balance ensures that the message remains powerful and the art remains true.
2. Translating Complexity: Experienced storytellers can distill complex UN concepts into relatable narratives that resonate with the public without oversimplifying. They bridge the gap between institutional priorities and human connection.
3. Inspiring Action: UN communications aim to inform; art and storytelling aim to inspire. Professionals in these fields understand how to craft narratives that not only educate but also motivate people to act.

The Problem with UN-Led Arts and Cultural Initiatives

When arts and culture are treated as mere extensions of institutional communications, their transformative power is diminished. These initiatives often fail to capture the richness of artistic expression and cultural depth, leading to outcomes that feel inauthentic and disconnected. Here’s what happens:

• Art Feels Forced: Embedding UN language or technical terms into artistic works results in projects that lack emotional resonance. The art becomes a tool to fit an institutional agenda rather than an authentic expression that captures the human and cultural dimensions of climate and sustainability issues.
• Tokenization of Artists and Cultural Workers: Artists and cultural practitioners are often brought in at the tail end of campaigns to “decorate” or add a layer of creativity. This tokenizes their role, treating them as embellishments rather than strategic partners capable of shaping narratives and amplifying cultural meaning.
• Missed Opportunities for Cultural Impact: Without professional artists and storytellers leading these initiatives, the emotional and cultural connections needed to inspire global audiences are often lost. This undermines the ability of campaigns to resonate across diverse communities and cultures.

Arts and storytelling must not be treated as afterthoughts in climate and sustainability efforts.

They are not secondary tools; they are central to how the UN can connect with humanity, build cultural bridges, and mobilize people toward collective action.

By failing to recognize their value and potential, these initiatives miss the opportunity to create lasting cultural impact and drive meaningful change.

The Solution: Elevating Professional Arts and Storytelling in the UN Space

To truly harness the power of art and storytelling, the UN must recognize them as distinct and indispensable components of its climate and sustainability efforts. Here’s how:

1. Hire Professional Artists and Storytellers: Ensure that those leading artistic initiatives are professionals with expertise in their craft, not communications experts or policymakers with storytelling “experience.”
2. Collaborate with Creators Early: Integrate artists and storytellers into the planning stages of campaigns, allowing them to shape narratives and develop creative strategies that align with advocacy goals.
3. Separate Communications from Storytelling: UN communications should remain focused on relaying information to Member States and stakeholders, while art and storytelling are used to connect with and inspire the broader public.
4. Invest in Art-Led Projects: Fund initiatives where artists take the lead in crafting narratives, creating works, and developing campaigns that amplify the UN’s mission in authentic and engaging ways.
5. Respect Artistic Freedom: Avoid imposing institutional language or rigid guidelines on artists. Trust their expertise to interpret and translate key messages in ways that resonate.

Art Saves: Amplifying Climate and Sustainability Through Storytelling

The UN’s climate and sustainability efforts require more than policy papers and press releases—they require stories that inspire, art that connects, and creativity that challenges the status quo.

From December 22 to January 1, the Art Saves Countdown is highlighting systemic barriers that harm artists and proposing actionable solutions. Today’s focus underscores the need to elevate arts and storytelling as core strategies in the fight against climate change.

The climate crisis demands more than data—it demands connection, imagination, and hope. By empowering professional artists and storytellers, the UN can ensure its work resonates far beyond institutional walls, inspiring people worldwide to act for a better future.

?? How do you think art and storytelling can amplify climate advocacy? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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