Communicating Climate Change in a Museum Setting—A Case Study

Climate change receives ample attention in academia and media. However, the dissemination of scientific findings to decision makers and the general public is often found wanting. Therefore, it is crucial to effectively communicate climate science, the impacts of climate change, possible solutions, and individual and collective responsibilities to warrant action. The bilingual exhibition “KliMacht | CliMatters” strove to tackle these very challenges, putting young people on the forefront as the primary target audience. The exhibition had over 30 exhibits with an emphasis on interactive objects and games, but also included standalone exhibits and posters. This paper discusses the potential of a museum exhibition to communicate climate change to a general public and spur action against climate change. It describes the scientific design, development and lessons learnt. In specific, it addresses the process of conceptualizing a coherent message and deciding on an exhibition as the medium of communication; challenges faced during preparation of exhibits; collaboration in an interdisciplinary team; and experiences from visitor interaction. Specific exhibits are discussed in detail to help identify effective and non-effective elements with respect to the transfer of knowledge. These insights can serve as a model for future endeavours aimed at communicating climate change.