Back to the Future: Weaving Climate History into Nordic National Museum Narratives

Abstract

Museums, perceived as trusted institutions, have significant potential for fostering public understanding of climate change. This study examines the integration of climate narratives in the permanent exhibitions of five Nordic national museums. The analyses focused on human-climate relations and the museums’ role as societal reflection and change agents. Despite the growing academic emphasis on the importance of climate narratives in museum exhibitions, the analysis reveals that such narratives were scarce in the studied museums. When present, the narratives were fragmented, isolated themes rather than cohesive and integrated elements of historical storytelling. Additionally, this study explores barriers that prevent the integration of climate narratives in permanent exhibitions and proposes practical curatorial strategies for reframing existing historical narratives. The strategies aim to inspire collective action and critical engagement that position national museums as dynamic platforms for addressing climate challenges. Finally, the article highlights the necessity for curatorial practices to evolve and integrate inclusive and forward-looking narratives that empower audiences to confront the climate crisis.