In the wake of escalating climate crises, museums, especially those dedicated to Black history and culture, find themselves at an increased risk of peril. Recent reports and analyses shed light on these invaluable institutions’ vulnerabilities and highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard their collections, spaces, and narratives.

As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, museums across the globe are grappling with the impact of climate change. However, for Black museums, the challenges are compounded by systemic inequalities and historical neglect. These institutions, often operating with limited resources and funding, face disproportionate risks and consequences.

A recent article published by The Art Newspaper delves into the specific threats faced by Black museums in the era of the climate crisis. Black history museums such as the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. are confronting the realities of climate change head-on.

The DuSable Museum, located on Chicago’s South Side, stands as a bastion of Black heritage and storytelling. However, its proximity to Lake Michigan renders it susceptible to flooding, a risk exacerbated by climate change-induced storms and rising sea levels. In 2022, the museum faced significant damage due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, prompting urgent repairs and heightened concerns about future vulnerabilities.

Similarly, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, situated on the National Mall, faces threats from both extreme weather events and inadequate infrastructure. The museum’s leadership has been vocal about the need for enhanced resilience measures and increased support to mitigate the risks posed by climate change. As hurricanes, heatwaves, and other climate-related challenges intensify, the imperative for action becomes increasingly urgent.

Beyond physical threats, Black museums also contend with the broader implications of climate change on their missions and narratives. The preservation of artifacts, documents, and artworks that illuminate Black history and culture becomes all the more critical as environmental pressures mount.

These institutions are not only repositories of cultural heritage but also vital spaces for community engagement, empowerment, and resilience-building. As climate change exacerbates existing inequalities and injustices, it is imperative to center the voices and needs of marginalized communities, including those served by Black museums.

In response to these challenges, stakeholders within the museum sector and beyond are advocating for holistic approaches to climate resilience and sustainability. This includes investments in infrastructure upgrades, disaster preparedness measures, conservation efforts, and community outreach initiatives. Collaboration between government agencies, cultural institutions, advocacy groups, and grassroots organizations is essential to developing comprehensive strategies that address the intersecting impacts of climate change on Black museums.

Furthermore, there is a growing recognition of the need to integrate principles of environmental justice and equity into climate resilience planning and decision-making processes. This involves acknowledging and redressing historical inequities, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable communities, and fostering inclusive and participatory approaches to climate action.

The challenges facing Black museums in the era of climate crisis underscore the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability, social justice, and cultural heritage preservation. By addressing these challenges with urgency, empathy, and collaboration, we can ensure that these invaluable institutions continue to thrive as beacons of hope, resilience, and inspiration for generations to come.

Decolonisation of heritage

A study published in Environmental Science & Policy sheds light on the dire situation facing these culturally significant locations and calls for urgent action to decolonize preservation efforts.

Indigenous heritage sites, ranging from ancient settlements to sacred landscapes, hold profound significance for indigenous peoples, serving as repositories of traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. However, inadequate recognition and protection of these sites, coupled with the disproportionate impacts of climate change on indigenous communities, endanger their preservation and perpetuation.

One of the key findings of the study is the need to decolonize preservation efforts. Traditional approaches to heritage conservation often prioritize Western-centric perspectives and fail to account for the diverse cultural practices and knowledge systems of indigenous communities.

“We need to commit to actively undoing those systems and ways of thinking through transformations to agenda-setting, funding, training, access to data and governance”, explains Dr Nicholas Simpson, of the University of Cape Town, who was a part of the research team.

The research, led by Dr. Sarah Johnson from the University of Indigenous Studies, underscores how climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of indigenous heritage sites, compounding the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and shifting ecosystems pose imminent threats to these invaluable cultural treasures.

The study further highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change. By bringing together experts from diverse fields such as archaeology, environmental science, and anthropology, innovative solutions can be developed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage.

In addition to decolonizing preservation efforts, the study calls for greater investment in climate adaptation measures for heritage sites. This includes implementing robust monitoring systems, developing climate-resilient infrastructure, and fostering community engagement initiatives.

The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. Without decisive action, the loss of indigenous heritage sites represents not only a cultural tragedy but also a profound injustice to indigenous peoples whose identities and connections to their land are inseparable from these sites. As climate change continues to escalate, safeguarding indigenous heritage must be prioritized as an essential component of broader efforts to combat environmental degradation and promote social justice.