A Lightness of Being: The Three Stages of Climate Change
A three channel video created in response to an article on geo- engineering stating that technology is being developed to spray sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere to make large scale human interventions possible in order to reduce global warming and delay the onset of irreversible climate change.
Stage 1 (Plato's Cave) : A sheet of glass suspended in a dark place represents human consciousness and the dilemma of whether to take action or not. The glass slowly quivers and rotates creating reflections and distortions.It is difficult for us to imagine a world that is two degrees warmer and the implications of rising sea levels.
Stage 2: (Tipping Point): The sheet of glass represents the human interface with the natural world. A tough yet fragile membrane protects us from the forces of nature but does not protect the natural world from the forces of humanity. One possible reason the climate system has not reached the predicted two degree rise yet is that the vast mass of the ocean absorbs ninety per cent of heat being released.
Stage 3 (Catharsis): We are distracted to the point of ignoring the reality of reaching climate tipping point by ever accelerating media and market forces.The sheet of tensioned industrial glass is symbolic of a closed energy system, which when subjected to increased pressure will release an enormous amount of energy. We are subjecting the planet to enormous pressure through unparalleled energy production and consumption.
Stage 1 (Plato's Cave) : A sheet of glass suspended in a dark place represents human consciousness and the dilemma of whether to take action or not. The glass slowly quivers and rotates creating reflections and distortions.It is difficult for us to imagine a world that is two degrees warmer and the implications of rising sea levels.
Stage 2: (Tipping Point): The sheet of glass represents the human interface with the natural world. A tough yet fragile membrane protects us from the forces of nature but does not protect the natural world from the forces of humanity. One possible reason the climate system has not reached the predicted two degree rise yet is that the vast mass of the ocean absorbs ninety per cent of heat being released.
Stage 3 (Catharsis): We are distracted to the point of ignoring the reality of reaching climate tipping point by ever accelerating media and market forces.The sheet of tensioned industrial glass is symbolic of a closed energy system, which when subjected to increased pressure will release an enormous amount of energy. We are subjecting the planet to enormous pressure through unparalleled energy production and consumption.
