The average Canadian releases about 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year without giving it a second thought. So imagine an enormous cube 27 feet x 27 feet x 27 feet yes, thats the volume of just one tonne see http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/how-big-a-tonne-of-co2.php.
As a Cowichan Carbon Buster, I am planning to build a plastic pipe frame for this whopping structure to show citizens the immensity of their release of greenhouse gases into the air every three weeks! I will assemble the "sculpture" at farmer's markets, fairs, schools, etc. to give visibility to gases that cannot be seen. The sculpture will be a huge oh-my-gosh spectacle and so will educate and motivate citizens to reduce their use of fossil fuels.
The "sculpture" could be accompanied by banners, video/slide shows, displays of solar panels, dancing groups, etc. - or it could be part of a guerrilla theatre/event for a few hours in parking lots of malls, beside highways, etc. I will fund a prototype out of plastic piping, but would like advice or partners/sponsors to take this project "viral" all over Canada (and the world?).
We must act urgently on climate change. Our politicians will not act unless they have public support. Are you onside? Can you help?
Climate Change Education: One Tonne CO2 Sculpture
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When I was in Copenhagen last year for COP15, they had giant balloons showing the equivalent of 1 ton of CO2. They were HUGE. But not tricky to put up. You can see a pic here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/4167312686_3a68255010_z.jpg?zz=1 and here: http://mstoica.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/city_8.jpg?w=720&h=479
Kathryn Blume
United States
Try contacting the Ted Nuggent Foundation (yes the rocker), he has a foundation that would probably assist you
Stewart Hubber
Consultant
Australia
Stewart - very funny. Ted Nugent is a right wing climate change denier. don't think that would help. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-cooper/rocker-ted-nugent-to-emce_b_258696.html
Ginger Wireman
Environmental Educator
WA State Dept. of Ecology, Nuclear Waste Program
United States
To make a lightweight cube, you could use PVC piping - with the corner joints that they sell - and make a fabric cover with velcro closures.
Tina Hokanson
Snohomish County Public Works
Washington State
Tina Hokanson
Communications Specialist
Snohomish County Public Works
United States
Peter,
What a great idea making it visual! I think the 27x27x27 size could become quite unmanageable and difficult to make structurally sound with plastic piping.
I wonder if it would work better for you to make many smaller cubes to equal the 27x27x27 volume.
They could be rearranged to fit any site you set these up in.
You could have a parade of cubes (many people, each holding one).
For some presentations where space is limited you could take along the number of cubes that would represent 6-months of emissions, or
The number of cubes that might represent the emissions of a typical family (is there such a thing?) for 6 months, or 1 month
You would have a lot more options, and it would be easier to accumulate these cubes if you cant find the funding for all at once.
Tina Hokanson
Communications Specialist
Snohomish County Public Works
United States
I like Tina's idea of small cubes... and a parade. Of course that would require volunteers - but that only helps you spread the word and educate.
HOWEVER, i can't stop thinking that - at least in the U.S. - the reaction would be 'so what'? I have held all along that we need to stop talking carbon footprint and ton(ne)s of carbon and talk about air pollution, asthma, emphysema, heart disease and water pollution (acid rain, and runoff heavy metals, brake linings) caused by automobiles and power plants (with old equipment.) In the U.S. the Republicans are going after the EPA saying they won't allow them to regulate CO2 emissions. But they already regulate air quality. Are we going to give that up?
I honestly think the environmentalist should be partnering with public health and bring it back to air pollution and quality of life issues on a personal level.
The attached report is from Austria, France & Switzerland. (because I found it first) Those are not places known for traffic-related air pollution. Yet this study determined a 6% mortality rate (~40,000 people per year) attributed to traffic related air quality.
THAT people should be able to relate to.
Ginger Wireman
Environmental Educator
WA State Dept. of Ecology, Nuclear Waste Program
United States
For recent research on carbon reduction at a community scale see:
Energy Policy http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03014215
Volume 38, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 7541-7633 Special Section: Carbon Reduction at Community Scale
The editorial points out that no single intervention can deliver the level of systemic change required; and that small scale and bottom up interventions can make both direct and indirect contributions including social and technical innovation, new marketplaces and new political opportunities.The authors (Mulguletta, Jackson & van der Horst) reiterate Ostrom's 2009 argument that "many of those who need to change...have not yet accepted the reality of the threat and their need to act locally in a different manner".
I like the sculpture idea. Here in New Zealand one local government, wishing to convey the extent of soil washed away in a major flood, made a light, wooden, one metre cube, painted it brown and took it out to the public. It worked a treat.
Frances Forsyth
Be the Difference programme
New Zealand
[email protected]
Peter, I tried to create a movable sculpture for the purpose of demonstrating how much radioactive waste will likely remain in Hanford (nuclear site) tanks even after it's been retrieved to the amount required by law; "360 cubic feet or whatever is technically practicable." Cubed, that equates to roughly the size of an apartment sized dumpster. I used 1-2" PVC pipe, but didn't glue the parts so it could be assembled and disassembled as needed.
I numbered the parts and sections, had diagrams, and everything. But it still was quite difficult to put together, and get to square up. Then once together, the corner joints might stick and it would be difficult to take apart at the end of the day! I'm afraid anything sturdier would be too difficult to carry.
I would suggest you think about another way to create an equivalent dimension. Say some number of pop-up canopies all clumped together? They would be costly and heavy BUT, they would be covered areas under which you could hang displays. The joist structure of the pop-up itself is sturdy enough to suspend banners or posters. Perhaps one cardboard car for every single-capacity mile driven by an average Canadian, or one Carbon air molecule for every minute wasted in a drive through lane with an engine idling. Also, you can create 'walls' along the sides.
I wonder if Coleman the American camping gear company (I'm sure stuff is made in China)does any environmental education? Or perhaps a large sporting goods retailer would donate a number of them.
Ginger Wireman
Environmental Educator
WA State Dept. of Ecology, Nuclear Waste Program
United States