Human Nature- Pippa's project

HUMAN NATURE

A project to raise awareness about the devastating effects of climate change

Starting point- The general understanding of Climate Change

Most people realise that by pumping out CO₂ we are contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. It is understood that this warming of the Earth, by a few degrees, could cause the ice caps to melt, and therefore the sea levels to rise. This is about as far as the public knowledge goes.

Aim

To raise awareness of how a small rise in temperature- a few degrees- affects the world as a whole. This includes all the predicted repercussions of climate change-

·         Floods

·         Droughts and famine

·         Tornadoes

·         Destruction of ecosystems

·         Disappearance of the Gulf Stream etc.

I want to display this in such a way that no-one can misunderstand, and no-one can forget the scale of the problems we face.

The Climate Change message Action Plan

I am going to incorporate my climate change plan into my A2 art installation (designs below), which focuses on environmental issues; namely the conservation of the rainforest, renewable energy and reducing waste.

This installation will be viewed by my school community, and I am going to get them involved in the process of creating it.

Currently I am creating a series of collages highlighting the worlds diminishing resources. I am going to ask classes from year 8 to design an A6 tag each, showing their beliefs about recycling and energy conservation. I will attach all the tags onto the collage, so the thoughts and ideas can be shared with the rest of the school.

As far as possible my installation will be made of recycled materials- bottles, plastic bags, crisp packets etc. I have made a 3D model of a girl, who is placed in the forest. She represents the activities of human kind, which affect the balance of ecosystems all across the globe. I will have vines hanging around her, suspended from the roof, so it feels like you are in a real jungle. I am basing the ‘vegetation’ on the jungle I worked in, on my Operation Wallacea trip to Honduras last summer. I might add some real ferns, to add to the textures and experience.

The aim of this 3D installation is to invigorate the senses and involve the community. People remember the facts if they are involved in the process.

The pinnacle of the display is my Climate Change globe. I am in the process of making it. Currently it is a white sphere, made of recycled paper, about 0.5m in circumference. Next I will outline the continents in black, creating a blank canvas of the Earth. I will then start my research into which areas of the world will be affected by climate change, specifically a temperature increase of 3 degrees. Which places will flood? Where will ecosystems disappear? Who will starve?

Each effect will be given a colour, and each place will be mapped on the globe. Once the effects are mapped, the globe will be suspended and the colour key added to the suspending rope. The resulting globe will therefore show clearly the extent of climate change on the Earth. This visual representation should stick in the minds of any who see it, and should give them a better understanding of the difficulties to come. I ask you:

What is the likelihood that the finished globe contains a patch of white?

The Solutions

          To reduce our carbon footprint we have to adjust our perceptions of consumerism - we cannot continue consuming without considering the consequences. Everything we buy has a carbon footprint attached to it, from food miles to aeroplane tickets. I believe that the basic way to minimise your carbon footprint is to-

Reduce- buy or consume what you need, not what you want. If you don’t buy as much you are less likely to waste what you have got.

Reuse- get the most out of your purchases. Fix things, so you get more use out of them.

Recycle- materials can be changed into something new instead of going to landfill or incineration

Renewable- get your energy from a renewable source, such as Ecotricity.

Responsible- conserve the Earth’s resources e.g. switch off the light when you leave the room or holiday in Britain, rather than abroad.

Regional- Support local projects, organisations and businesses which promote low-carbon living. Farmers markets decrease food miles, and support the local economy.

These solutions will make up the foundation of my installation, so that my school community gets the message - in order to combat climate change you have to act to reduce your carbon footprint. Every individual can make a difference and help to create a sustainable future for us all.

Here are some photos of the finished project-

I did a couple of assemblies to my school, explaining the installation and the effects of climate change- the globe was completely covered by the way. The response was extremely positive, and the teachers even started taking notice. I also showed the project to the Comenius group, which encourages environmental action across Europe. I showed visitors from Greece, Poland, France, Malta what I had been doing, so hopefully I have inspired them to go back to their schools and try something similar.

This was only my entry project, and since then I have finished my A-levels and left Rugby High School, so now my new project will be based in my local area and community. I will keep this blog updated from now on, so you can see what else I've been doing.

Cheerio, and keep striving for a sustainable future!!

Pippa