“If anything, art is… about morals, about our belief in humanity. Without that, there simply is no art.”

–Ai Weiwei – Chinese contemporary artist

We only have 8 years to create and execute a plan to stop the worst effects of climate change. This 8 year window comes from an IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report released in 2018 that said we have 12 years to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius through the reduction of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere*. This enables us to avoid the worst of the climate crisis including crippling heat waves and debilitating drought.

So, what does that mean for you, me, and all of the other 7.8 billion people on the planet. It means WE CAN DO THIS. We have 8 years. It means that we each do our part in little ways that add up to something big.  And we have to start today. And every day for the next 8 years. Making every decision we make about something larger than ourselves. It means amplifying our mindset about what it means to be an inhabitant of planet earth whose actions can and do affect everyone and everything on the planet. 

How do we start DOing this?

• Drive and fly less. Bike, walk, bus more. 
• Eat less meat. 
• Get clothing at swaps, consignment and thrift stores. 

This is a tough message to share with people. It is easier to stick your head in the sand and ride out the wave of the last good years. So, how do you share this message with the world in a way they can comprehend? 

Art. 

It is the great equalizer. It has the power to wake people up. It has the power to move people on an emotional level. 

Students in the New Vista High School Quarter 2 Workshop understand the climate concern. They often feel powerless to create this kind of worldwide change. Through their self expression, they can get out their message and channel their emotions for people to see and then really get the message.