Climate change is a threatening reality today. Over the past decade, the Earth witnessed record-high temperatures, rising greenhouse gas emissions, sea level increases, and a rapid loss of glaciers. For the 10,000 years before the industrial era, atmospheric carbon dioxide remained relatively stable, but since the mid-1800s, emissions have surged by about 50%. This rise is largely driven by deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil for energy. Carbon emissions pose serious threats, leading to higher temperatures, biodiversity loss, health risks from air pollution, and mass geographical displacement.
These dangers have sparked a global movement that advocates for a more sustainable planet. Although the existing damage may be irreversible, adopting sustainable changes now provides an opportunity for recovery and progress toward a more sustainable future. Besides traditional advocacy and public policies, an unconventional yet effective way to spread this message is through the arts. By visually compelling audiences and inspiring global conversations, creative forms such as visual art, photography, and film are powerful tools in the fight against climate change.

For instance, Olafur Eliasson’s Ice Watch sheds light on the reality of melting arctic ice. In late October 2014, Eliasson brought large blocks of ice from Greenland to public spaces in cities such as Copenhagen and Paris for his Ice Watch installation. The art piece served as a firsthand demonstration of global warming’s effects as viewers saw the ice melt away.

The Extinction Rebellion is a global environmental movement that originated in the United Kingdom. They form peaceful protests and engage in civil disobedience to urge governments to act on the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. The Extinction Rebellion movement uses art and bold visual posters in its climate protests. Protesters create vivid visual displays, such as giant symbolic hourglasses, to communicate the urgency of the climate crisis. The movement has successfully influenced climate policy in multiple countries. In the UK, for example, the Extinction Rebellion’s campaigns contributed to the British government declaring a climate emergency in 2019.

Another way artists spread awareness about climate change is through photography. Photographer Edward Burtynsky travels the world, capturing the impact of humans on the Earth. His images of deforestation, resource extraction, and waste disposal depict the environmental consequences of industrialization that the modern world relies on. Burtynsky claims, “We are drawn by desire—a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction.” His pictures evoke feelings of anger and fear in the audience, prompting them to take actions for environmental justice.

Films can also shape public opinion on environmental issues. An Inconvenient Truth (2006) is a documentary that features former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Through scientific data, charts, and personal narratives, the film highlights the dangerous consequences of human neglect, from rising sea levels to extreme weather events to loss of biodiversity. Gore urges governments and individuals to take responsibility for addressing climate change and reducing its effects.
Another influential documentary is Before the Flood (2016), which is produced and narrated by actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Speaking with scientists, activists, and world leaders around the world, DiCaprio tries to understand the causes and consequences of climate change. The documentary calls for collective action to reduce carbon emissions and protect the planet for future generations.
The rapidly growing fashion industry generates significant amounts of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions. According to Uniform Market, the United States produces 15.8 megatons of textile waste every year on average, and fashion manufacturing processes are responsible for 10% of the total annual carbon footprint. Fast fashion—trendy clothing made from bad quality materials and sold for cheap prices—appeals to the younger generations, yet it is particularly detrimental to the environment. For example, clothing company Shein adds up to 10,000 new designs on their website per day. Yale Climate Connections finds that 44% of Generation Z in the United States buys at least one item from Shein per month. Along with Shein, other big fast fashion brands such as Zara and H&M release tons of carbon emissions from mass manufacturing.
As an innovator in sustainable fashion, Stella McCartney is committed to using animal-free products and cutting-edge technology to reduce environmental impact. She partners with companies such as Adidas, Bolt Threads, and the Ethical Fashion Initiative on eco-friendly sportswear. Other sustainable clothing brands include Patagonia, Everlane, PACT, Kotn, Allbirds, Levi’s, and Veja. McCartney encourages a society-wide switch to sustainable fashion brands, which conserves natural resources such as water and promotes a more eco-conscious future for the fashion industry.
The fight against climate change requires collective action, innovation, and bold creativity. From striking installations and documentaries to sustainable fashion initiatives, artists are using powerful tools to inspire change and demand accountability. As the climate crisis continues, art will only play a more important role in paving the way to a more sustainable future.

Sources:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144372
https://olafureliasson.net/artwork/ice-watch-2014/
https://rebellion.global/
https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/home-page
https://www.uniformmarket.com/statistics/fast-fashion-statistics
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/09/shein-is-officially-the-biggest-polluter-in-fast-fashion-ai-is-making-things-worse/#:~:text=Although%20estimates%20vary%2C%20a%20new,to%20the%20site%20each%20day.
https://earth.org/fast-fashion-companies/
https://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/stellas-world/about-stella-mccartney.html