06:00, 18 May 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
As the needs of society change, so do the purposes of the institutions around us.
This year’s International Museum Day brings together this idea and highlights how museums can navigate and contribute to the world undergoing social and environmental changes.
The Natural History Museum (NHM) is one that is at the forefront, showcasing how museums can inspire action on social and environmental issues. The NHM’s “Fixing Our Broken Planet” programme is a shining example of how cultural institutions can harness their influence to empower the next generation, spark vital conversations, and provide tangible solutions.
I spoke to Camilla Tham, Head of International Partnership at the Natural History Museum, who leads the innovative Generation Hope initiative; Lottie Dodwell-Williams, Exhibition Curator behind the new Fixing Our Broken Planet gallery; and Roween Rawat, Digital Content Producer for the programme, responsible for developing the Find Your Climate Action tool.
Together, they are representatives of a passionate team driving the Museum’s mission to engage the public – especially young people – in meaningful climate consciousness.Through a multifaceted approach, it engages audiences with groundbreaking exhibitions, practical climate action tools, and youth-led initiatives.
One of the central pillars of this programme is Generation Hope, an annual talks and workshops dedicated to empowering young people to tackle climate change.
According to Camilla, who oversees the programme, “The voice of young people has never been more important. We are seeing a generation that is not just talking about the climate crisis but is demanding change.”
Since its launch in 2023, Generation Hope has offered a platform for young people to share their concerns, ideas, and solutions. The programme also partners with organisations like Global Witness to combat climate misinformation, ensuring that young people have access to reliable, evidence-based information.
To this, Lottie, a curator at NHM, adds, “This generation is deeply invested in climate action, and we need to listen. The programme is not just about educating; it’s about providing them with the tools and networks to make real change.”
The programme has evolved over the past three years from an emphasis on awareness-raising to community-building and collaboration. It now includes a wide variety of events, from panel discussions on eco-anxiety to networking events in which young people can meet and continue the conversation long after the sessions end.
From this year’s event, the opportunity to hear from leading activists, scientists and creatives was central to meeting young people at whatever stage of their climate change journey.
Camilla continues: “What we've seen with Generation Hope is that, through storytelling and shared experiences, young people are building a global community that is committed to climate action. It’s not just about solutions, but about creating a collective movement.
“We believe in turning eco-anxiety into eco-action. Our aim is to provide young people with the tools and the support to take meaningful steps.”
Next, the Fixing Our Broken Planet exhibition, which opened its doors in April 2025, offers a visually encapsulating and thought-provoking look at the scientific discoveries from some of the NHM’s world-leading researchers. The new gallery explores practical, nature-based solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the planet today.
It’s a permanent addition to the museum’s offerings, and the response has been overwhelming, in just one month over 250,000 visitors have explored its vast collection.
As Roween, the exhibition’s digital content producer, explains: “This gallery doesn’t just present problems, it highlights the solutions we can adopt, from changes in food and energy systems to sustainable materials. We wanted to tell stories of hope.”
Curated by NHM scientists, the exhibition features diverse stories and specimens that illustrate both the devastation and resilience of nature. A special mention does to a section on whale earwax – but we will leave this for you to uncover.
At the heart of this exhibition is an exploration of human behaviour: how it contributes to climate change, and how it can be a force for good. With interactive displays and expert insights, visitors can delve into the science behind the ripple effects of climate change and discover what they can do to reduce their environmental footprint.
Lottie explains, “This exhibition has been a labour of love, bringing together stories from a diverse range of scientists, each with their own unique expertise on climate change and the natural environment."
As with the other event series and the exhibition, the NHM has completed a trifecta of how the public can engage with climate action and developed the Find Your Climate Action Tool – a digital resource aimed at helping people take concrete steps toward a sustainable future.
It’s designed to make climate action feel accessible and personalised, particularly for 16 to 35-year-olds, the most climate-engaged generation.
The tool offers visitors 20 practical actions to start making a difference, from reducing food waste to going to a repair cafe rather than throwing out.
“We want people to feel empowered, to have clear steps they can take, and to know that every action counts,” says Roween.
After exploring the gallery, visitors can use the tool to identify which actions resonate with them and create a personalised action plan. It’s a seamless bridge between inspiration and tangible steps. It is also a resource for those that are not easily accessible to the museum. Roween highlighted that anyone can use the app and it has been used by people all over the world.
In response to the growing importance of digital resources in promoting climate action, Roween says: “The Find Your Climate Action Tool is something we see as an ongoing, long-term resource for the museum community. It’s not just about taking action once, it’s about creating habits that become part of everyday life.”
She adds, “Visitors are telling us that the tool is giving them the confidence to take bigger steps in their lives, whether it’s choosing eco-friendly products or getting involved in advocacy.”
One of the tool’s most popular actions? Switching to a greener bank – a simple yet powerful way for individuals to align their financial choices with their values. As Lottie points out, “We’re seeing a shift in consumer power, and this tool is designed to help people turn their environmental concerns into everyday actions that matter.”
With an annual footfall of around 6 million visitors annually, the NHM shows that they think carefully about how they can engage their visitors in current conversations about climate consciousness and the world.
By engaging young people, providing them with the tools they need to take action, and using its influence to address the planetary emergency, the NHM is proving that museums can be powerful agents of change.
As Camilla puts it: “The key is to connect, to comprehend, and to communicate. If we can do that, we can empower this generation to create a future where the planet is not just surviving, but thriving.”
This doesn't have to be the end of climate action for you. The Natural History Museum has a plethora of upcoming events and exhibitions that will continue to tickle your curiosity about the natural environment.
To stay up to date with the Fixing Our Broken Planet initiative, subscribe to their Planet Fixers newsletter at the bottom of this page here.
Interested in space? Well the NHM has a new exhibition delving into if we could live beyond Earth… check it out here.
National treasure Sir David Attenborough has something spectacularly cinematic brewing at the Museum this June. Find out what it is here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Natural History Museum Foundation. This is a UK charity supporting the Natural History Museum's mission to advance public education by promoting the discovery, understanding, responsible use, and enjoyment of the natural world. Find out more.
Force of Nature. This is a youth-led organisation founded by climate activist Clover Hogan. The organisation provides education, leadership training, and global platforms to empower the next generation of changemakers. Learn more here.
ClientEarth. This globally-operating charity that uses the power of the law to drive systemic change and protect the environment. They work on issues like clean air, climate, and nature conservation. Support them here.
All images used in this article are credited to: © Trustees of the Natural History Museum
