Fall 2021
I have been keenly aware of climate and energy issues since my senior year in college, when I participated in an interdisciplinary course on the topic. For an entire semester we were treated to guest speakers presenting various energy paths and how they would impact the climate and the future.
Among the visitors were soft-energy guru Amory Lovins from the Rocky Mountain Institute, who seemed radically counter culture at the time, cheerleading solar and wind power. Lovins was counter-pointed by a visit from a corporate stiff from Exxon/Mobil doubling down on fossil fuels.
Even in the 1980s, all of our speakers, including the Big Oil guy, were aware that climate change was happening and that society’s energy choices would have an impact. But it all seemed so theoretical and remote, something our kids and grandkids would have to deal with if our generation didn’t start finding solutions.
Probably none of us dreamed that we would see evidence of climate change accelerating so quickly. Now, we are reminded of Hemingway’s observation that one goes bankrupt in two ways, “gradually, then suddenly.” The impact of climate change is upon us and we don’t have the luxury of passing responsibility to future generations.
I am very proud that NEMA is stepping up to do its part addressing climate issues as they affect the museum field and as the museum field can affect change in wider society.
We have been active on the advocacy front. Shortly after the Trump administration pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords, NEMA became a signatory of “We Are Still In,” standing alongside hundreds of other businesses, NGOs and cultural entities to demonstrate commitment to global climate resiliency.
Over the past few years we have hosted several conference sessions on museums and climate change (including one at the upcoming NEMA conference on Monday, November 15, at 1:30 pm), plus virtual programs that we’ve recorded for your viewing pleasure. See them at here, along with a raft of articles and other resources compiled by NEMA’s Meg Winikates. Don’t miss the infographic fact sheet on museums and climate change here.
Because climate change poses an existential threat to museum facilities and their collections, NEMA is deepening its commitment by embedding climate into our institutional culture. Earlier this year our Advocacy Committee adopted climate as its thematic focus of the year. And I’m very excited to report that NEMA intends to include climate as part of its new values statement, on which we will asking your input soon.
NEMA is demonstrating leadership nationally as well. Meg is currently working with AAM’s government relations team to create a more robust policy position on climate issues, which will be part of the field’s advocacy portfolio as it interacts with Congress during Museums Advocacy Day and throughout the year.
And we’ve recently announced that NEMA was awarded a two-year National Leadership Grant from IMLS to study climate impact in museums around the country. Led by Sarah Sutton and her nonprofit Environment and Culture Partners in conjunction with New Buildings Institute, the project will collect and analyze energy use data from a representative sample of up to 148 museums across the U.S. The end result will be to help museums make strategic energy management decisions that benefit individual museums as well as the climate system for long-term health and safety of living beings, communities, and cultures. This is a big deal and we are happy to be a part of it.
Climate change does not lend itself to easy solutions, but I know in my heart that museums can and will play a central role in helping society address it. We are among the most trusted institutions in our communities, so we have the social capital to change hearts and minds, and to inspire action. Plus, the impact of climate change is a growing threat to our communities, facilities and collections; we must act now to keep our museums viable and resilient.
Let me know your ideas for how NEMA can be most helpful.
Dan Yaeger