Reflection

As climate scientists all over the world desperately protest for change at the eleventh hour of our planet, the ironic parallel between doomsday prophets and these climate scientists has never been clearer. Though one group obviously has much more evidence on their side, both have been cursed with the nightmarish knowledge of our planet’s ticking clock and their lack of power to stop it. I poked fun at the fact that the doomsday believers had been right all along through the middle two figures and their respective signs. The billboards in the backdrop explore the irony of the environmental consequences of the digital age, the media’s poor coverage of genuinely important issues, and the establishment of surface-level efforts like paper straws rather than actual effective legislation. The complete nonchalance of the surrounding passersby highlights how, despite risking arrest and their careers through countless protests, climate scientists are still being widely dismissed by those in power and ignored by mainstream media despite all signs pointing to a very scientifically evident doomsday. The smoke can and pool of liquid on the ground serve as references to Scientist Rebellion protests involving smoke cans in Berlin and fake blood at the Spanish Parliament. The images within the smoke and liquid depict various consequences of climate change—ones that we’ve already been seeing. Through this mix of humor and dark reality, I wanted to bring more awareness towards this movement of admirable scientists trying to save us from ourselves, and unlike the passersby in my piece, I hope viewers choose to listen.