Creative Climate
Communication Lab
Developing connections between research, artists, and local leaders for large-scale impact.
About the Lab
At the Human Impacts Institute, we believe that communicating climate science alone isn't enough to inspire meaningful action. Our Creative Climate Communications Lab (C3 Lab) bridges the gap by connecting communities to local solutions, leveraging social influence, and making climate actions personal and impactful.
Our vision is to connect researchers, practitioners, and communication experts to develop, implement, and monitor effective climate action strategies. Piloted in NYC, the C3 Lab combines local experimentation with insights from global climate leaders, serving as an international living lab and community action hub, exploring innovative ways to drive climate action.
How We Do It
If we invest in creating spaces where different fields work together and people can explore ideas — focusing on creativity, involving communities in climate action, and making science easy to understand — we can develop new and meaningful ways to talk about climate change that reach more people and inspire them to build community and capacity. In order to bridge the awareness-action gap and help trigger social tipping points needed for transformative climate action.
This process involves:
NYC Pilot Social Amplifiers
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Based on the Social Amplifiers Research, we identify individuals who act as amplifiers of social and climate-related messages in their communities.
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Drawing on our on-the-ground experience and the existing knowledge base of the C3 Lab, we train these individuals in creative climate communication.
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We then support them in designing and launching their own localized campaigns, equipping them with both strategic insights and tools to effectively communicate and mobilize their networks.
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We measure, adjust, and repeat to achieve consistent improvement and amplification.
International Creative Gatherings
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A moment to bring together partners, resources, and amplifiers to exchange ideas and co-create.
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Events that bring together leading and creative voices in climate communication and social change, fostering global collaboration and idea exchange.
Action-based and Participatory Research
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Our team is committed to creating evidence-based resources and fostering connections among environmental justice groups, artists, and climate communication researchers to inspire meaningful change through:
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An advisory Committee: A diverse, NYC-based group of artists, environmental justice advocates, and climate communication scholars who guide the development of the C3 Lab through a participatory and inclusive approach.
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Research and Resources: We collect evidence-based insights from climate science and translate them into accessible, engaging formats such as reports, action guides, and interactive workshops designed for local communities.
Resource Library:
Climate Arts & Action
Explore our curated library of research, articles, and tools. This growing collection brings together insights at the intersection of climate communication, collective action, education, and the arts. It is designed to support educators, artists, youth leaders, and community organizers in sparking dialogue and driving meaningful climate action. Access the full spreadsheet to dive deeper into the sources and ideas shaping our work.
About the Series
The Art of Environmental Justice Action is a three-part guide series developed by the Human Impacts Institute to make arts and culture more accessible and impactful in the fight for climate and environmental justice. Based on community-led research and years of practice, these open-source guides are designed to support artists, community organizers, and environmental justice organizations in working together—ethically, creatively, and effectively.
Whether you’re trying to inspire action through storytelling, bring emotional depth to campaigns, or build trust across sectors, these booklets offer practical, research-backed steps to help you do it. Each guide is tailored to a specific audience, with accessible ideas, case studies, and tools that turn creativity into a catalyst for change.
This guide explores why and how arts and culture are essential tools for building just and sustainable futures.
Discover how creative expression fosters community resilience, emotional connection, and collective action.
A practical roadmap for Environmental Justice Organizations (EJOs) to integrate arts and culture into their work.
Packed with case studies, creative ideas, and tools for ethical collaboration, this guide supports meaningful, long-lasting community impact.
Designed for artists seeking to collaborate with EJ organizations in thoughtful, equitable ways.
Learn how to co-create with communities, amplify marginalized voices, and use your practice to support environmental justice without extraction.