Week3: Research

Ok, so after spending the first 2 weeks fumbling around a couple fo different ideas, I went straight into my 1-2-1 with Susanna ONLY talking about 1 idea… this topic of climate change and soem form of exhibition or workshop… This showed me that this idea is the one that lights my fire, it gets me excited and it’s a subject I’m passionate about.

HOWEVER, I really need to do more research and gain further understanding of the subject. Climate Change as a whole is a HUGE area, I can’t tackle it all in one go, so perhaps I look towards a more niche subject specific area.

My aim this week is to look into the research quite heavily and then use this research to formulate questions and ideas in order to discuss this appropriately with researchers and designers etc.

This is such a heavy topic and I’ve had to take some time outs this week to not only process the amount of information I’m reading but also the fact that our habits and effects on the planet are out of control – I think this is what I need to tap in on the most, as this is the area that our generation finds the scariest. I’ve delved into a large number of online blogs, websites and data sheets and it’s overwhelming. However it’s also valid and important information that gives huge gravitas to this topic.

Looking through my notes, i’ve definitely picked up on 3 main topics I want to focus in on with this project – I still have no idea which direction this will take me, but it’ll definitely lead my research and my questioning to experts. Once I’ve got a grasp on all that, can I start to formuate some ideas.

Generational Divides

Ok, so this is a definite certainty for me, this is such a big topic and not something that’s picked up on a lot. I’ve seen a fair amount in the media, younger generations pointing the finger and placing the blame on older generations as to how they’re leaving this planet for our future generations. But I don’t think this is the way we should be looking at all this, yes the older generations have caused irreparable damage to our Earth but just look at the planet we live on now, our resources, computing, societal developments. So we can’t just sit and place the blame on the older generations, but perhaps invite them to discuss with the younger generations how we can work together to make the world a better place.

Children have a greater vulnerability to the effects of climate change not only because in the future they will suffer 80% more Climate change related illnesses and injuries, but because they are reliant and dependent on adults and the future impact we leave for them. The main concern here is as to how the threat of Climate Change is affecting our next generation’s capacity to invest in the future. How can they, when it’s seemingly more and more doom and gloom.

Looking at Generation Z (mid-late 1990’s – early 2010’s born), they have grown up hearing constantly about climate change and greenhouse gases. This has been a major point throughout their lives so far and it’s going to continue for the rest of their lives. Unlike Boomers, perhaps, who only really started hearing about climate change in the past 25 years or so. they feel it’s impact and it’s run throughout their whole lives so far.

Sarah Ray, a University Professor in America wrote a very emotive article explaining how this new generation of students are drastically different from the past generations of students and she’s seen a difference in the way they feel about the earth. “this new generation” Sarah writes ” don’t want to escape humanity. They recognise the key to saving the environment is HUMANITY itself”. They recognise now that we have a responsibility, we can’t just sit back and wait to see what happens. We are the main turning point for saving the environment.

She also notes that there is a sense of inefficacy, a sense of no control – there is only so much we can do. Constant media showing us doom and gloom about the future with no acknowledgement of the changes made so far and the impact this has had.

It’s a vision of hope, with a dark side. I don’t want my project to be all negativity and pointing the finger at “who’s to blame”. That’s not a way to make change and it causes mroe problems. I want this project to look at the positive effects we’ve seen so far, what our changes have done to this planet and how we can continue. By bringing generations together, can we help make a difference here? Can we help older generations recognise that in changing small habits,they’re helping their children, grandchildren and so on?

Future of Life on Earth

This is currently mainly facts, but link back to my idea about the greenhouses or some form of set-up to help people recognise what the world will look like in 25, 50 and 75 years time if we don’t make changes. EG. by 2050, the earth’s population will pass 6 billion. by 2100 the earth will be 4 degrees celsius warmer and sea levels 0.7m higher.

The average UK summer temperature will hit 27 degrees in 25 years time.

Intense summer rainfalls and drier summers will mean more damaging and destructive floods. Consider York and the yearly flooding we face, can I take inspiration from Winnie’s link she sent me and consider an art installation showing the damage we might see across York?

This source will be invaluable to me for facts and data.

WE ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT

Ok, so I wrote this in capitals across my book. This is something I really want to work on, the idea that one individual making a small change makes no difference to the planet. We want to see that if 1000 individuals make the small change, this is the effect it will have. Again, it’s positive reinforcement that we, as individuals, aren’t insignificant. Our effects and changes matter and have a positive reaction on the earth. This is where I could set up a workshop to look at the considerations of our actions and the changes we can make.

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Bibliography

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Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment. (n.d.). How is climate change affecting river and surface water flooding in the UK? [online] Available at: https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/explainers/how-is-climate-change-affecting-river-and-surface-water-flooding-in-the-uk/ [Accessed 18 Jun. 2021].

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Fortune. (n.d.). Commentary: Generation Z is “traumatized” by climate change—and they’re the key to fighting it. [online] Available at: https://fortune.com/2020/08/19/generation-z-climate-change-activism/.

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scied.ucar.edu. (n.d.). Predictions of Future Global Climate | UCAR Center for Science Education. [online] Available at: https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/climate-change-impacts/predictions-future-global-climate.

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