Earth Day
April 22nd, Earth day. I’ve talked about this topic on my Instagram but I wanted to go a bit more in-depth and waited to post this on Earth day.
So yeah, climate change and art. At first glance, these two topics seem to have nothing in common but truth is that they work great together. This is a subject I am passionate about, since I believe climate change is one of the most - if not the most important problem we have right now. As artists, we have the “power” to spread a message in a unique and meaningful way. Sometimes art can make a big impact on somebody’s perspective. A visual metaphor, for example. And that is what I choose to do with climate change. As some of you know, last year I created a collection of drawings about climate change and our effect as humans on the planet. This is called Soul Project. You can click on the button below if you want to check the project in a more detailed way.
It is not only with that project that I intend to spread the message but it certainly is the largest piece of material I have on the matter. I try to spread the message and the philosophy through all my drawings, they are very nature-based. But Soul Project not only represents the matter visually but is also heavily accompanied by a list of things we as individuals can do to help the planet for each matter. For example, one of the illustrations is about the pollution of water, and so the list is about things we can do to stop polluting the waters ourselves. So, I thought today I would speak about it again.
Yes, we don’t have the power to do things that would really help stop climate change, the things the governments can do, but won’t. But we do have the power to change our way of life and show those governments, those big corporations, those businesses, what the people actually want, an actual change. Not a greenwashing change, an actual change. So, we do have some power after all, and not only that, but the change has power over the way we see ourselves too. I personally don’t feel good about using new plastic bags when I know I am hurting the planet. We have to swallow our pride and comfort, yes, a plastic bag is more convenient, but the feeling of accomplishment you get when you don’t use that plastic bag and feel good about yourself and feel like you are helping is far better than that. You feel connected to the Earth, at least I do, and I think we should all reconnect with nature. We, humans, totally need that.
So, here’s a list I made of little things you can do to start, followed by a list of links about the subject and finally an illustration I created to spread today’s message.
Stop using plastic (bags, straws, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, razors, Tupperwares, plastic wraps, cups…) almost everything you use in your life has a plastic-free substitute.
Take the train, walk, skate, ride your bike to places, use an electric car…
Use renewable energy to power your home.
Use sunscreen that doesn’t pollute the oceans.
Don’t eat so much meat, don’t overbuy food, basically don’t waste food.
Buy second-hand, or in outlet shops.
Reduce your waste by using everything you have until you can literally not use it at all anymore and then find a way to repurpose it and give it another life before throwing it away.
Recycle well.
As you can see, very common things, I’m sure you’ve heard these before. They are also really easy to do. So, why are you not doing them already? Give it a chance, it helps!
LINKS OF INTEREST
