In this essay, Sam McNeilly addresses the relative failure of communicating climate change. Rooted in the ‘energy humanities’, Mcneilly argues that effectively communicating the climate emergency requires increased attention to what drives it: the culture of fossil fuels. Cultural relations can serve to ensure justice is central to shifts away from fossil fuels and transforming existing cultural practices. 

About the Cultural Relations Collection

The Cultural Relations Collection was an essay series exploring research themes from arts and culture, education and the English language in the context of the work of the British Council around the world. Written primarily by early-career researchers, often in collaboration with British Council staff, the Collection examines what is meant by ‘cultural relations’ and how this approach has evolved in theory and practice over time.

The essays offer concise, accessible and multi-disciplinary introductions to both what the British Council does and how we do it. Collectively, they foreground the benefits of locally-led and people-centred approaches that are grounded in values of mutuality and reciprocity. They also highlight the positive impact on connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide that can be accrued when these approaches are built on long-term, sustained relationships with diverse partners and communities.

Specific topics addressed through the Collection include peacebuilding, climate change, digital cultural relations, the Covid-19 pandemic, international development and soft power.