Bennoune considers that arts and culture are also critical fields for the mobilization of climate action, as well as for information-sharing and awareness-raising about climate change. “What the arts can do is create the empathy to bridge that gap, create the personal response (…) Artistic and cultural forms provide space for collective, improvisational and reflexive modes of acting on and thinking about uncertain futures.” To sum up, it seems that on one level there are concerns over how climate changes may negatively impact cultural rights – especially for women and indigenous people – and on another level that artists may play an essential role as advocates, eye-openers and game changers. But what can artists and the cultural industries do in order to reduce their own climate footprints? Well, some larger music festivals have worked on these issues for several years, by reducing and/or recycling garbage, increasing access to public transport, and collaborating with technical universities,45 so their students may test environmental solutions on site as well as reducing the carbon footprint of each meal served. Digital distribution of music and films reaches millions of people and potentially minimizes the use of plastic for physical products such as vinyl discs, CDs and DVDs. However, streaming is extremely energy demanding as computers need energy-demanding cooling systems as well as electricity, which is not necessarily “clean.” Culture and climate are complex issues, but no doubt artists and cultural operators do already play an essential role in creating awareness about problems. They may even become part of the solution, but doing so, they may also be at particular risk of threats, harassment and human rights violations. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: If you engage in environmental issues as an artist or cultural operator, do consider: • Get your facts correct (consult real experts); • Identify your potential opponents (and consider inviting them for dialogues); • Collaborate with potential “friends of environment”; • Provoke only? Or point to solutions? 45 READ MORE: http://www.art2030.org/ https://artistsandclimatechange.com/ about/ https://www.riseart.com/article/2485/9artists-confronting-climate-change https://www.roskilde-festival.dk/en/sustainability/environmental-sustainability/ 39