P4.036: Developing an Art-Based Youth Advocacy Model for Climate Action

Background: Our planet is warming. This year alone, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted a 2.4°F increase in global surface temperatures. These changes are greatly impacting human health, especially in communities lacking cooling resources, safe housing, or access to healthcare. To empower young voices to advocate for their well-being, we created the Youth Climate Art Exhibition (“Enviro-Art”) in 2022 in collaboration with an AAP chapter.

Project Description: Enviro-Art is an annual art competition for youth to creatively express themselves in response to a local environmental issue. Previous themes include “Clear Skies” to emphasize the importance of clean air quality and “Tijuana Sewage Crisis” to highlight the buildup of sewage in the US-Mexico border affecting San Diego’s border communities.

Our competition annually receives 30-150 art submissions from students aged 5-18, with works encompassing a variety of mediums. In 2024, we received 30+ applications in the categories of 2D/3D Art, Photography, and Poetry. Of the participants, 3 (10%) were aged 0-6, 12 (40%) were aged 7-10, 5 (17%) were aged 11-13, and 10 (33%) were aged 14-18. Themes of the submitted pieces included beach and ocean pollution, unhealthy living conditions for sea life, and poor respiratory health. The winning artworks were exhibited throughout the city including at local fine arts galleries, climate community events, public libraries, professional conferences, and media websites, allowing young students to express their opinions to a widespread audience.

Enviro-Art 2025 will center around fast fashion, aligning with the Fashion Act 2025 (AB 405) bill seeking to address the clothing industry’s negative environmental impacts. Additionally, our art competition model has been replicated in 3 other states adapted to regionally-relevant themes.

Discussion: Enviro-Art successfully reached youth from vulnerable communities who are most impacted by environmental crises. For example, artworks focused on the Tijuana Sewage Crisis were largely submitted by students living in border communities, representing the city’s most multi-ethnic neighborhoods and residents of lower-socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the Enviro-Art competitions held in other states led to similar advocacy efforts, such as the formation of Youth Art Councils composed of high school and middle school volunteers. In all, Enviro-Art provides a platform for young students to reflect, share, and gain agency on the climate crisis and environmental health issues affecting their neighborhoods.

Conclusion: While we already see the effects of climate change today, these same issues will be greatly amplified for the next generations. Since children are growing up in the climate crisis, and often have limited advocacy opportunities, it is important to highlight and empower their voices in established systems. Enviro-Art demonstrates an easily replicable advocacy model where medical professionals can empower youth artists, advocates and researchers within academic and community spaces.