Art as Climate Action

“While it is vital that we act to stop climate change, engagement is a key precursor to that action. This is precisely where the arts support the sciences because the arts can reach inside our hearts, not just our minds.” Dr James Renwick, Climate Change Commissioner and Professor of Physical Geography at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

Exploring how arts and culture can inspire engagement and action in the fight against climate change is a founding principle of Track Zero.

Ministry for the Environment is a proud supporter of Through the Eye of the Lens, a Track Zero photographic project about climate change for young people.

Through the Eye of the Lens takes place in five regions across Aotearoa New Zealand - starting at the Festival of Colour in Wānaka in April 2021.

In each location, rangatahi aged 10-14 years take part in photography workshops led by some of New Zealand’s most experienced professional photographers. The photographers share their creative expertise and teach them how to use their own digital cameras. Participants are encouraged to express their ideas on our place, our world, and the impact of climate change on their communities by telling stories ‘through the eye of the (camera) lens’. They’ll also learn about climate science from New Zealand’s top scientists and explore actions they can take to create a climate resilient future.

A selection of photographs taken and curated by the young artists and photographers are exhibited in arts festivals in each region and in an online exhibition.

The multi-year programme (a series of projects) will culminate in a free outdoor photographic exhibition in Greater Wellington in early 2022 and a parallel online exhibition featuring the work by the young artists and photographers from the entire series.

Find out more about Track Zero [Track Zero website]

View the 'Through the Eye of the Lens - Wānaka' exhibition [Track Zero website]