What is ClimateScape?

ClimateScape is a kinetic art installation using sound and movement.

Climate change is happening. Some think we've already gone too far.

We need to make a concentrated effort to about face immediately. A dramatic shift on current climate policy and swift action is no longer an option, it is mandatory. The time is now and it may be running out, if it hasn't already.

ClimateScape is about bringing awareness to the human effect and how we are affecting climate change. The four soundscape sculptures represent 4 potential climate change scenarios known as Representative Concentration Pathways, or RCPs.

They are scenario models for forecasters to use when modeling certain climate related metrics.

As the sculptures are approached they engage with the viewer and create a sometimes uneasy soundscape representing one of these scenarios. Illustrating the human effect and how we are influencing these changes.

The sculptures also have a representative material, representing a current and / or future sector that is or will be playing a role in climate change.

We are the human effect and we cause the ClimateScape.

It is up to us to right the ship. We as artists must bring continued awareness. We as humans must act.

NYTimes - Climate Change Article Data Visualization


What are Representative Concentration Pathways?

The RCP’s are representative greenhouse gas trajectories adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) in 2014. It basically describes best and worst case scenerios if we (humans) take action on climate change or do nothing.

These pathways can then be used to map out projections on potential global warming and sea level rise as well as other metrics we may see over the next 100 years.

RCP 2.6

The RCP 2.6 scenario can be seen as the best case senario. We need to make a stark turnaround on current climate change polices and begin a combined global effort to take action soon. Some say the window is closing quickly if it has not already.

This scenario forecasts global emmisions to peak by 2020 and to decline to zero towards the end of the century.

The RCP 2.6 soundscape represents the best case scenario with a representative material of grass. Grass can be made into bio-fuel or bio-energy, which in the year 2100 is forecasted to make up 29% of our energy resource.

RCP 4.5

Emissions peak 50% higher than 2000 levels by mid century and decrease quickly over the next 30 years. The climate stabilizes at about half of 2000 levels around 2070.

Representative Sector: Industry. Industry is the 3rd largest contributor to emissions currently.
Representative Material: onetime use plastics.

RCP 6

RCP 6 projects emissions have doubled by 2060. Then they drop quickly but stay much much higher than current levels. C02 concentration still increases, slows the later part of the century.

Representative Sector: Electricity. Electircity is the 2rd largest contributor to emissions currently.
Representative Material: coal.

 

RCP 8.5

Is the worst case scenario. Emmissions continue to increase rapidly through the early to mid century. By 2100 annual emmissions have stablized but increasd almost 74%.

Population growth is high and environmental and sustainable resource levels are low. Oil use grows swiftly until 2070 and then begins to drop. Coal is the bulk of the increase energy consumption. Land use continues current trends.

Representative Sector: Transportation. Transportation is the largest contributor to emissions currently.
Representative Material: tire/rubber.

 
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