Interdisciplinary Approaches 1

Climate Action and Art

Climate change is a major issue that’s threatening our planet. Without change, “warming could pass 2.9°C this century”. There are new ideas being developed and researched by AFOLU Sectors aiming to lower global emissions, with a focus on New or Renew. Some examples of these could be the process of building new cities or transportation systems, or simply updating travel routes or designs of everyday appliances. 

https://www.unep.org/topics/climate-action?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA44OtBhAOEiwAj4gpObFxzcLV1Wo63iurgNY545ORfTDJuEx7m6bDNzG9qkr_eENtG0ku2RoCBPEQAvD_BwE

https://www.unep.org/topics/climate-action/mitigation

The scientific research may be difficult to understand for the general public, not accessible or easily available. One easy solution found was to use an artistic approach to represent the key points. 

https://stillmoving.org/projects/cop26-interventions

Still Moving, a collective, created a series of illuminated phrases related to climate action titled COP Interventions. These were installed in “different locations around Glasgow for the duration of COP26”, visible to the general public and “gathered world leaders”. Examples of phrases submitted are “JUSTICE RESET” and “HIRAETH”. This creative display seems effective at catching attention, it’s consistent and to the point. More importantly, illuminating the opinions of different communities to the people with power to initiate change. 

Continuing to explore this theme, I took part in a group activity working with the same materials and concept. We discussed different options for phrases and eventually decided on my suggestion of “USE YOUR POWER”, telling viewers they have the option to create change. It’s instructional and pushes for progress. The word power is a direct link to one of the major issues, power and emissions. This was then assembled and displayed within the communal space in the studio, clearly visible to all who entered.