This article is part of our latest Museums special section, which focuses on the intersection of art and politics.

About 66 million years ago, a giant asteroid hit the Earth, transforming climate so severely that approximately three-quarters of all species went extinct. Now, said Michael J. Novacek, senior vice president and provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History, “we’re kind of the asteroids.”

As that human impact becomes an increasingly urgent — and increasingly politicized — subject, the museum is focusing its efforts to explore climate change in a way that emphasizes the science, not the controversy. Its approach includes continually updating its climate-related exhibits and planning to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with a themed festival in April.

There is “a comprehensive full-court press that we’re bringing to this,” said Ellen V. Futter, president of the museum. Its efforts to educate the public on climate change amount to “a lot of leverage, institutionally,” she added, “and we think that’s our role. We do have a civic mission.”