To help you keep abreast of the science and politics behind the Climate Crisis, we are pleased to provide a shortcut to trusted information.
Our understandings of the basic physics of climate change and 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, Solar Energy – 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.
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.
1940s, Clean, Renewable Fuel – algae based alternatives for fossil fuels and petroleum based packaging were in development. Algae also provides a highly nourishing food supplement for humans, animals and soils. It could also displace greenhouse intense chemical fertilisers because treating degraded soils with algae increases water, nutrient and carbon holding capacities.
Since the 1960s – the lethal consequences of burning fossil fuels have been well understood. People with the power, awareness and responsibility to avoid the Climate Emergency continue doubling down on disinformation campaigns to silence the science and suppress the solutions. Homicide cases prosecuting fossil fuel companies and their allies are building.
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.
To help keep up to date with climate developments, we recommend the following sources:
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 action on climate.
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.
Market Forces – exposes the institutions that are financing environmentally destructive projects and helps Australians hold these institutions accountable.
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.
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!
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 by Julian Meehan.
CLIMARTE PRODUCED RESOURCES
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.
As an important part of its advocacy, CLIMARTE has contributed many submissions to government inquiries dating back to 2010.
You can read CLIMARTE’s most recent submission, made to the Victorian Government’s Creative State Consultation in collaboration with Cultural Gardeners, by clicking here.
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.
Government Submissions