The Science Behind My Art!

"My work is informed by key scientific facts and visuals from leading sources, including NASA Climate Scientists, the United Nations Climate Hub, the Irish Meteorological Office, and the National Biodiversity Data Centre Ireland. On a local level, I engage with the Clare County Council Climate Office, as well as its Heritage and Biodiversity sectors, to further integrate regional insights into my practice." Artist

The Simple Truth!

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Earth’s average temperature has risen by over 1ºF in the past century, and projections indicate an increase of 3º to 10ºF over the next 100 years. NASA’s global network of satellites, airborne missions, and surface monitoring systems provides critical data that informs climate models, helping us understand the causes and consequences of global warming (NASA Climate).

I was fortunate to collaborate with Redding University for my Change of Climate show, where I explored the specific rise in temperatures in Ireland. One of the most compelling aspects of this journey was engaging with the work of Professor Ed Hawkins, particularly his Warming Stripes—a striking visual representation of temperature increases. With his permission, I integrated his data on rising temperatures in Ireland into my exhibition.

The response from the local community was profound. Many were captivated by the visual storytelling, but one moment stood out. An elderly man, moved to tears, admitted, "I never really understood climate change until now. I can see the rise in temperatures in this piece. I can track the changes in color from the year I was born… my God, it's a lot redder in the past few decades. I get it—for the first time, I get it."

We shook hands and stood together in silence, absorbing the gravity of what he had realized. Then, we spoke at length about the causes and effects of climate change in the west of Ireland. This encounter reinforced my belief in the power of visual storytelling to build understanding.

Inspired by Professor Hawkins, I continue to incorporate barcode-like designs into my Change of Climate works, symbolizing the loss of wildlife biodiversity in my locality. Through art, I strive to make the invisible visible, transforming data into a language that resonates with people on a deeply personal level.

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The Power of Colour to Help Us Understand Climate Change.

Watch this video below.

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January 12, 2023

Earth's average surface temperature in 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest on record, according to an analysis by NASA. Continuing the planet's long-term warming trend, global temperatures in 2022 were 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.89 degrees Celsius) above the average for NASA's baseline period (1951-1980), scientists from NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York reported.

The past nine years have been the warmest years since modern recordkeeping began in 1880. This means Earth in 2022 was about 2 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 1.11 degrees Celsius) warmer than the late 19th century average.

Full story: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3246/nasa-says-2022-fifth-warmest-year-on-record-warming-trend-continues/

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One Earth is an environmental short film created and edited to help raise awareness about our impact on our environment.It tells the story of how we globally and massively around the world use resources for short term profit, by deforestating, mining, burning fossil fuels, consuming and ever expanding. Our lifestyle leads to the many environmental issues we face today in 2024, including global pollution, climate change, and the massive extinction of animal species.

As the human population continues to grow, so does our impact on the environment. In fact, recent research has shown that three-quarters of Earth’s land surface is under pressure from human activity. In this short film, spoken word artist Prince Ea makes a powerful case for protecting the planet and challenges the human race to create a sustainable future.  Winner of the Film4Climate competition organized by the Connect4Climate Program of the World Bank (film4climate.net).➡ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribe➡ Get More Short Film Showcase: http://bit.ly/ShortFilmShowcase

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The Problem with Plastic

A new study by the U.S. federal government found that global plastic production is a major driver of climate change. The study, which was conducted by scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, estimates that by 2050 plastic production could account for between 21% to 31% of the global carbon emission budget required to limit global temperature increase to just 1.5 degrees Celsius. Currently, the industry is responsible for four times more greenhouse gas emissions than the airline industry, or about 600 coal-fired power plants.

While this is not the first analysis to highlight the connection between plastics and the climate, the stark statistics should be a wake-up call. Reducing plastic production is critical to combatting climate change.

Many people don't realize that that 99% of all plastics are made from fossil fuels, and plastics contribute to climate change throughout their life cycle. Greenhouse gas emissions are associated with everything from fossil fuel extraction, to plastic manufacturing, to the disposal of plastic waste. A 2021 analysis by Beyond Plastics found that the U.S. plastics industry will be a bigger contributor to climate change than coal-fired power in the nation by 2030.

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Renée SharpDirector, Plastics and Petrochemical Advocacy, Environmental Health

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