Image from unsplash.com.
As I write this article on the importance of museums enhancing their green practices, the world around us is suffering enormous climate catastrophes. Germany and China are experiencing severe floods, Canada is severely affected by wildfires, and England is going through yet another heatwave. They sound like scenes from an action movie, yet this is the world we have to live in, and the consequences of climate change are just taking their first steps.
I write this dooming introduction not to give you an ulcer or nightmares, but to point out the importance of everyone, from the single individual to the global collective, working towards mitigating the effects of this environmental crisis.
There are three critical actions that museums and cultural institutions can (and should) take to increase their sustainable practices. One is through reducing the building’s carbon footprint by lowering energy consumption. By understanding how much energy is used and how much is needed, museums can become much more energy-efficient. Key things to look at include lighting, improving the building’s shell, climate control (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), digital and lab emissions, and reducing hot water use. Switching to renewable energy systems is extremely important and can be done by altering contracts with energy sourcing companies or going self-sufficient energetically.
Another step is reviewing the waste and materials used in collections and finding suitable alternatives for packing, storage, and transport. When implementing the 5 R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle – institutions can source alternative materials and make better decisions towards a more sustainable practice. This can include choices like buying biodegradable gloves, using circular crating for transport, and rethinking synthetic waste.
Lastly, museums need to use their socially trusted platforms to clearly and efficiently present the current information to their communities and visitors. By providing knowledge and engaging their audiences, museums can cause a ripple effect in political and social changes, which is the most significant change we need.
As new professionals in the sector, we can influence the institutions we work at by becoming sustainability champions, becoming informed on environmental issues (not an expert), and by working with colleagues from different institutions to share information and experiences so that we can actively encourage change in the museum. We are the new generation of museum professionals, and the change starts with us.
Excellent resources to gather practical and accurate information are Ki Culture (www.kiculture.org), who have downloadable e-books with practical steps and information available and the Coalition of Museums for Climate Justice (cmcj.ca).
Written by Maria Locke Mortensen
Comments