Our understandings of the basic physics of climate change as well as its solutions date back to the early 1800s.

1824, greenhouse gas – the existence of what would later become known as the ‘greenhouse effect’ was proposed by French mathematician and physicist Joseph Fourier.

1839, photovoltaic (PV) effect – at the age of 19 French physicist Alexander Edmond Becquerel observed and discovered  the “photovoltaic (PV) effect” which was the foundation for generating electricity from solar cells.

1873, solar energy – the first solar cells were in development.

1881, electric vehicles – what is likely the first electric vehicle was driven on Rue Valois in central Paris by French inventor Gustave Trouvé.

1887, electricity from wind – the first known wind turbine to generate electricity was built in Aberdeenshire village of Marykirk Scotland by James Blyth. Its four cloth sails generated enough power to light 10 bulbs along with a small lathe.

1938, global warming evidence – Guy Stewart Callendar compiled temperature measurements dating back to the 1880s to show that global land temperatures were increasing.

1940s, renewable & regenerative liquid fuels – algae based alternatives for fossil fuels as well as petroleum based packaging (plastic) were in development. Roughly doubling its weight every 18-24 hours, algae grows extremely quickly by absorbing carbon dioxide and generating oxygen. It also provides a highly nourishing food supplement for humans, animals and soils, and is used medicinally. Since treating degraded soils with algae increases water, nutrient and carbon holding capacities, it could also displace greenhouse gas intense and generally highly polluting chemical fertilisers.

1954, photovoltaic (PV) technology – the first solar cells to power electric devices for several hours a day.

1955, Atlas Network foundations established  – birth of a shadowy global network of neoliberal charitable ‘think tanks’ acting as front groups for harmful industries. Largely funded by the fossil fuel industry and now estimated to include as many as 600 local chapters, these so-called ‘think tanks’ collaborate and use astroturfing tactics in attempts to dismantle and/or obstruct evidence-based regulations aimed at protecting human rights and ecosystems which they perceive as interfering with private profits. These groups are behind the introduction of draconian laws vilifying climate protesters. You can read CLIMARTE’s response to Atlas Network affiliated groups’ interference in Australia’s Voice to Parliament referendum here.

1960s, Global Warming Awareness – the lethal consequences to the Earth’s climate system from burning fossil fuels were understood.

1972, United Nations Earth Summit, Sweden – the first global conference to place environmental issues at the forefront of international concerns, the Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan for the Human Environment contained 26 principles and recommendations for actions to preserve and enhance the environment. It marked the start of a dialogue between industrialised and developing countries on the link between economic growth, the pollution of the air, water, and oceans and the wellbeing of people around the world. The Declaration warned Governments to consider activities that could lead to global warming and to evaluate the likelihood and magnitude of climatic effects.

2007, Australia’s first Clean Energy Cooperative – after overcoming phenomenal obstacles, Hepburn Energy was Australia’s first community driven renewable energy project. There are now more than 100 community energy groups located all around the country.

2011, Australia’s world leading climate laws – the 2010 Federal election resulted in a hung Parliament and the establishment of the Gillard Government’s Multi-Party Climate Change Committee to address the climate crisis. Guided by independent experts from across all sectors of the economy, the Committee was a Greens Party condition of supporting the new Labor Government. The Coalition refused its invitation to join. The resulting Clean Energy Legislation was a suite of 18 highly complementary bills. Before their repeal by the Coalition Abbott Government (July 2014), the laws had proved extraordinarily effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating tens of thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of new investments and innovation in clean energy sectors of local economies, and putting downward competitive pressure on energy prices.

2024, hottest year in history – as global temperature records are “once again, shattered” and climate disasters wreck havoc with lives all around the world, trillions in public subsides continue to enrich the hugely profitable fossil fuel industry. In Australia that figure was reported to be $14.5 billion. Yet, in addition to providing many other human and planetary benefits, distributed renewable energy systems are already cheaper, more reliable and exponentially increasing. Meanwhile, people with the power, awareness and responsibility to mitigate the Climate Emergency continue undermining democratic processes, doubling down with bizarre disinformation campaigns in attempts to silence science and suppress solutions. As a proportion of the economy, the heavily mechanised fossil fuel industry employs relatively few workers. Yet at least 1,773 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists were granted access to the United Nations  COP29 climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan. As a result of increasingly frequent and extreme climate related disasters, the cost of insurance alone is skyrocketing and further fuelling inflation. How can we even begin to measure the devastating toll the Climate Crisis is already having on lives all around the world?

2025 – the highly collaborative, decentralised, global, community-led climate movement continues to evolve and strengthen. In response to decades of betrayal – in addition to civil legal challenges – homicide cases prosecuting fossil fuel companies and their political and financial allies are now building.

We recommend the following trustworthy information sources and projects:

Climate Council – Australia’s own independent, evidence-based organisation on climate science, impacts and solutions.

Climate Trace – built by a global, not-for-profit coalition of over 100 universities, scientists, and AI experts, a comprehensive pollution tracking system that reveals high-impact emission reduction opportunities. Watch co-founders Al Gore and Gavin McCormick’s powerful COP29 presentation here.

Drilled – an ongoing investigative reporting project digging into the various forces obstructing climate action.

Fear and Wonder – a podcast by the journalist Michael Green and CLIMARTE Ambassador Dr. Joelle Gergis, a climate scientist, Climate Council member, IPCC lead author, produced by the Climate Council and The Conversation.

Fossil Fuel Subsidies Tracker – a collaboration between the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Tracker reports on financial as well as other forms of government support for the global fossil fuel industry.

Juice by ‘National Living Treasure’ author Tim Winton – in the words of award winning Australian  (Wiradjuri) author Tara June Winch, “a masterful story for the ages…a book to hold close in the whip of hot wind, to commiserate with, to sing with. To read and weep.”

Maps of Gratitude, Cones of Silence and Lumps of Coal – a data driven creative project depicting the ties between the fossil fuel industry and the Arts in Australia by A Centre for Everything (Will Foster & Gabrielle de Vietri).

Market Forces – exposes the institutions that are financing environmentally destructive projects and helps Australians hold these institutions accountable.

Michael West Media – independent reporting on fossil fuel companies (and other multinationals) making billions in profits in Australia and yet paying zero tax.

National Centre for Climate Restoration (Breakthrough) – an independent think tank that develops critical thought leadership to influence the climate debate and policy making towards safe climate restoration, through a reversal of global warming.

Renew Economy – clean energy news and analysis.

Seed Mob – building a strong and powerful network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who are connected and empowered to protect country, and leading the fight for climate justice.

The Australia Institute – specialising in sustainable economic policy development.

The Conversation – initiated in Melbourne by Nobel Laureate and CLIMARTE Ambassador Professor Doherty with some of his academic colleagues, The Conversation is a unique collaboration between academics and journalists, and is the world’s leading publisher of research-based news and analysis.

The Ministry for the Future by award winning author Kim Stanley Robinson – a superbly written novel that uses best available science and climate policy ideas to imaginatively and hopefully lay out a path for humanity to still avert the worst impacts of the Climate Emergency.

For inspiration on what local communities can achieve, please see the City of Yarra’s globally leading Climate Emergency Plan 2024 – 2030, to which CLIMARTE and other civil society driven groups helped develop. Of course we are hoping other jurisdictions continue raising the bar!

We acknowledge with heartfelt gratitude all First Nations people continuing to protect ecosystems on the frontline of fossil fuel extraction and dedicated communities fighting for Climate Justice in jurisdictions all around the world.

Image credit: Cinda Manins, a CLIMARTE commissioned Timeline Trilogy artwork tracing 1) the deep time history of life on Earth, 2) the evolution of life on Earth, 3) an imagined future where life on Earth is in harmony. Made with string, hand made paper and other repurposed materials. Photo courtesy of Julian Meehan.

As an important part of its advocacy, CLIMARTE has contributed many submissions to government inquiries dating back to 2010.

Image: Sharon Field, The Scrolls: 3,000 days…and counting, pen, archival ink and watercolour on watercolour paper, commenced 26 March (Earth Day) 2022, ongoing until Earth Day 2030.

Over the last few years, CLIMARTE has produced and presented many exhibitions and associated public facing programs exploring the Climate Crisis in all its manifestations.

Image: from the opening of FLOW, 31 May 2023. Photo courtesy of Julian Meehan.

CLIMARTE collaborates with artists, scientists and activists to create powerful, socially engaging projects.

Image: from the opening of Creative Constellations: Atlas of Radical Hope, 14 February 2024. Photo courtesy of Julian Meehan.

CLIMARTE hosts special events bringing together artists, scientists, academics, researchers and civil society to engage in meaningful dialogue on effective action to address the Climate Crisis.

Image: from the community discussion held as part of Sharon Field’s The Scrolls: 3,000 days…and counting international tour launch, 6 October 2024. Photo courtesy of Julian Meehan.

In a period of profound environmental and social upheaval, climate change has become one of our greatest challenges. Yet for many of us, fear, confusion and frustration mean we are reluctant to consider, let alone act on this pressing issue.

Rational engagement with science is vital to forming solutions to this challenge. But a cultural shift is also needed. Artists have the capacity to develop a narrative that recognises the reality of our present and inspires a vibrant, positive vision of our future.

Presenting the work of Australian and international artists across twenty-nine exhibitions and events, ART+CLIMATE=CHANGE by Guy Abrahams, Kelly Gellatly and Bronwyn Johnson explores the power of art to create the empathy, emotional engagement and cultural understanding needed to motivate meaningful change.

ART+CLIMATE=CHANGE II by Bronwyn Johnson and Kelly Gellatly is an illustrated collection of artworks and essays that shine a light on how art can imagine a sustainable future and call for action on climate change. It presents the work of Australian and international artists across a broad range of exhibitions, performances and events from CLIMARTE’s ART+CLIMATE=CHANGE 2019 festival.

Essays on the climate emergency by artists, curators and arts writers help us imagine a world where we protect and care for the earth, from the river systems, oceans and lands to the air we breathe. In a world vastly changed by the impact of a global pandemic, these socially engaged artists and writers demand immediate and effective action on the climate crisis. We have no time to lose.

Please contact us if you’d like to purchase a book directly for $55.