A4E members Anna Hurst, Adrienne Cool, Tobias Beuchert, and Jessica Agnos are among the authors of “A Fragile Blue Dot: Amplifying Climate Change in Planetariums Worldwide,” an article published in the June 2025 issue of Planetarian, the journal of the International Planetarium Society.
We report initial findings from a 2024 global survey of the planetarium community, designed to better understand how climate change and environmental issues are being communicated in dome programming. The survey explored how topics such as sustainability, biodiversity, and local resilience are currently addressed, and what support is needed to expand this work.
This initiative represents a collaboration between the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Astronomers for Planet Earth, the California Academy of Sciences, the International Planetarium Society, and Associated Universities, Inc. The consortium recognized the untapped potential of planetariums as trusted, immersive venues for addressing the urgent issue of climate change through scientific storytelling.
The survey reached 91 respondents from across 27 U.S. states and 21 countries, capturing a wide range of planetarium types — from planetariums associated with universities and science centers to mobile domes. Responses indicate that planetarians widely support including climate topics in planetarium programming and view Earth as a critical part of the planetarium mission. Many expressed a strong desire to incorporate environmental themes but cited significant barriers: lack of funding, outdated equipment, insufficient staff training, and concerns about audience reactions. The majority of respondents expressed a need for practical, ready-to-use resources such as climate-focused planetarium media, professional development in climate science and communication, and access to peer support communities.
Interest was particularly strong in modular content, training workshops, and assets that can be adapted to local audiences. Overall, the results reveal both a need and an opportunity: planetariums are well positioned to foster climate literacy, but they require strategic investment and support to do so effectively and inclusively.
