Set in 2035, COOL: How We Did It features artwork reflecting on how community-owned renewable energy cooperatives displaced the fossil fuel industry by strategically incorporating regenerative biofuels into their renewable energy mix.

In defiance of the current path towards a 3°C hotter world, CLIMARTE’s evolving, science and social research driven project presents creative blueprints and roadmaps for community-focussed economies powered by 100% clean and regenerative energy.

The artwork shows how Fresh Fuel* complemented solar, wind and battery technologies to secure clean, reliable power that directly responds to community needs; powering things that were challenging to electrify, and providing flexible backup fuels essential for the renewable energy transition.

In drawing down carbon and generating oxygen, by 2035 these fast growing, natural alternatives are also effectively displacing petroleum-based plastics, and chemical fertilisers. In addition, they’re providing highly nourishing food supplements and medical treatments for people and animals and regenerating soils. Grown in globally distributed, locally scaled (in contrast to ‘industrial’) models, Fresh Fuel (for food and energy) is also delivering jobs, purpose, and hope for a better future for communities everywhere.

Not ‘commercially viable’? In obstructing R&D, this is precisely what the fossil fuel industry said about solar and wind energy as well as batteries, all of which are already cheaper. Given that 80% of global consumers support a transition to renewable energy, what does it look like for communities to effectively take the lead?

In fact, despite decades of polluting industry obstruction – through distributed renewable and regenerative energy systems – the world is already transitioning to genuinely socially and ecologically sustainable economies. Viewed through this lens, today’s reactionary politics is no surprise.

COOL: How We Did It artwork is being created with a view towards presentation at COP31, should Australia be successful with its bid to host it. And in ways that will enable it to be experienced by anyone with access to the internet.

We gratefully acknowledge the City of Yarra for supporting artwork depicting a Fresh Fuel business plan, in development by Lichen Kelp.

* such as from algae biofuels which were in development in the 1940s, oleaginous bacteria, hemp, bamboo, yeast, mycelium and fungi.

Image: Lichen Kelp, snap frozen sunshower, documentation of liquid landscape/performance sculpture, 2023