Climate and Culture: Stories of Survival, Resilience, and Renewal
Listen to the full episode here
As Climate Week NYC Event Program registration officially launched, a recent Fifty Shades of Green discussion hosted by Climate Group's Adam Lake, titled Climate and Culture: Stories of Survival, Resilience, and Renewal, offered a powerful preview of how music, photography, and public art shape our understanding and engagement with climate action.
The conversation featured AY Young, CEO of Battery Tour; David Campany, Creative Director at the International Center of Photography (ICP); and Audrey Decker, co-founder of Street Art for Mankind. Here are some key insights from their inspiring discussion.
Street Art for Mankind installed this mural as part of the Climate Action Outdoor Museum in 2024
Culture as a universal language for impact
A central theme was the unique ability of cultural forms to transcend traditional barriers and connect with diverse audiences on a deeply human level.
Music and sports as bridge builders: AY Young, a UN young leader for the SDGs, highlighted how music and sports can break down silos and build bridges across society. His Battery Tour, the world's longest-running clean energy concert series, has performed 959 concerts powered by clean energy, reaching mass media audiences, including 1.8 billion people at a Times Square concert. AY asserted, "music's a universal language and ultimately what I've learned about music and also the sports component … it can really break down those barriers and those silos and build bridges right to connect every facet of humanity." The Battery Tour also incorporates an "impact side," funding, promoting, and deploying solutions in 17-18 countries and providing a platform for NGOs and leaders.
Street art to touch the heart: Audrey Decker explained how Street Art for Mankind uses "humongous pieces of work" to engage millions, with murals seen by over 55 million people annually. These murals, part of the Climate Action Outdoor Museum, aim to raise awareness on themes like ecosystem restoration, sustainable living, and clean energy. Audrey emphasized the emotional connection, stating, "art whether it's music or whether this our big murals or even photography is a universal language which is a practical and a political standpoint because it speaks really all all colors... it doesn't go to the brain immediately it really goes to the heart." The murals connect audiences to action through plaques and an app, Behind the Wall, offering audio guides and ways to engage with local organizations.
Photography as a catalyst for collective consciousness: David Campany discussed the work of Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, whose major exhibition, "The Great Acceleration," will be at the ICP. Burtynsky's work explores the human impact on the planet through large-scale, high-definition images. David noted the power of large-scale photography, comparing it to cinema: "when you're looking at big work it's a little bit like cinema you know when you go to the movies and lots of people watch together there's a collective consciousness right that's different from watching on your iPhone at home." He also highlighted the unique balance in photography between art and documentary, exemplified by a striking image of a cobalt mine that appears beautiful at first but reveals harsh human realities upon closer inspection. David believes that "if anything claims to be some kind of universal language it's these things, right? That is part of everyday life."
Edward Burtynsky's The Great Acceleration will be on display at ICP from June 19 - September 28, 2025
The irreplaceable value of in-person engagement
While digital platforms are essential for reach, all panelists agreed on the profound difference of in-person experiences.
David Campany highlighted the need for exhibitions to offer an experience "that they couldn't get anywhere else" in a physical space, beyond what social media can provide.
Audrey Decker echoed this, stating that the surprise and wonder of encountering a massive mural in the street, creating a "collective consciousness", is unmatched by a virtual image. She noted, "to make people visible on the wall and to make people feel proud and visible in the street there's something you can't compare to to something virtual."
AY Young, aiming for a Guinness World Record of 1,000 clean energy concerts, affirmed the significance of live events for "history and legacy." He emphasized that experiencing a clean energy concert live offers something unique that cannot be fully conveyed through a video.
AY’s #RoadTo1000 Official Teaser Trailer
AY Young's #RoadTo1000 aims to set a record of 1000 live music events powered by clean energy
Radical collaboration and breaking the echo chamber
A crucial insight was the need for the climate movement to move beyond its "echo chamber" and embrace "radical collaboration." AY Young urged for authentic partnerships, stating, "we've got to stop... doing business as usual... through collaboration and working together... it's going to take some radical collaboration and some some some movement in different directions." Audrey Decker also noted that art's ability to speak to the heart allows for difficult conversations, fostering a space where people can engage regardless of political views, focusing on shared humanity and leaving a legacy for future generations.
AY Young encapsulated the spirit of unity, saying, "all these bubbles kind of coming together to make an ocean... I don't think everyone needs to be doing their own thing... I see so many roles out there that are needed as we can we we can come together and collaborate and power change."
Climate Week NYC this year promises to be a vibrant demonstration of how culture can inspire, educate, and mobilize individuals towards meaningful climate action. Make sure to register for events and explore the full calendar launching shortly to find your part in this global effort.
50 Shades of Green is available to stream on all major platforms. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe to stay updated on future climate action insights. For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to podcast@climategroup.org.