Montréal's Biosphère Opens Emolab, a Climate Emotions Lab for Youth
In November 2024, the Biosphère in Montréal launched Emolab, a climate emotions lab tailored for individuals aged 16 to 25. The initiative emerged from a staff meeting that highlighted a deficiency in emotional transparency regarding environmental concerns. Situated within Richard Buckminster Fuller’s iconic geodesic dome from Expo '67, the Biosphère has been dedicated to environmental topics since 1995 and became part of the Space for Life museum complex in 2021. Emolab, shaped by student consultations, includes four interactive areas: testimonials and voting, media portrayals and health effects with a game, a climate science timeline, and a calm zone for emotional resilience. Discussions led by mediators like Merlin Guerrero focus on themes of pride, hope, empathy, and motivation. The project was showcased at the Museums & Wellness Summit 2026.
Key facts
- Emolab opened at the Biosphère in Montréal in November 2024.
- The exhibition targets young people aged 16 to 25.
- It originated from an unplanned staff meeting where employees shared climate emotions.
- The Biosphère is housed in Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome from Expo '67.
- The museum joined the Space for Life complex in 2021.
- Consultations were held in secondary schools, colleges, and primary classrooms.
- The exhibition has four zones: testimonies, shock, timeline, and solutions.
- The project was presented at the Museums & Wellness Summit 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Richard Buckminster Fuller
- Greta Thunberg
Institutions
- Biosphère
- Space for Life
- MuseumNext
- Museums & Wellness Summit
Locations
- Montréal
- Canada
- Île Sainte-Hélène
- St. Lawrence River
- Parc Jean-Drapeau