Have you ever wanted own a piece of climate AND art history? Now’s your chance.
Inspired by a commitment made at the Clinton Global Initiative, Cool Globes were created to urge the public to affect positive change by their individual actions. A collection of 12 sculptures is currently on display in New York City’s Battery Park, but thanks to an exclusive deal with IfOnly, you can purchase one for your home or office with proceeds going to Waterkeeper Alliance.
Artists handcraft each globe to tell a story about the importance of mitigating climate change and how small changes, when done collectively, result in a large impact. Bid now and help support climate action!
Green Your Laundry
Artist: Thom Cicchelli | “Drawing a Line on Climate Change”
Doing laundry may be a chore, but conscientious cleaners can feel good about themselves by avoiding excessive energy use on wash day. As much as 90 percent of the power that a washing machine requires goes toward heating the water. Simply switching from hot to warm water means using only half as much energy; cold water yields even better results. For drying, hanging clothes is ideal because a dryer uses more energy than virtually any other home appliance.
Thom Cicchelli’s globe displays garments that have been hung outside to dry. All of the garments are recycled; thrift-store gems; no additional artwork or lettering was added. Deciding which garments made the final cut was a difficult task, as was gluing rope upside down. Fortunately, line-drying at home is an easy way to do a world of good.
Stop Unsolicited Mail
Artist: Ellen Gradman | “7 Days, 36 Families, 100 Pounds”
The average American home receives 1.5 trees in their mailbox every year in the form of unsolicited mail. That adds up to over 100 million trees cut down and over 28 billion gallons of water consumed to produce one year’s worth of junk mail. Reducing the amount of junk mail you receive will save energy, natural resources, and landfill space. You can begin to tackle the problem by reaching for your phone. Call toll free numbers in unwanted catalogs and ask to be removed from mailing lists. By contacting the Direct Marketing Association you can be removed from mass market mailing lists. Organizations can sell your name to other groups unless you ask them to stop. Pick up the phone and stop junk mail!
Green Your Home
Luz Maria Castillo | “Loteria Global (Global Bingo)”
Your home could be responsible for twice as much greenhouse gas as your car! The good news is that you can easily reduce home energy use by targeting energy you lose and don’t need to use. Start by cutting the stand- by power to electronics like stereos, microwaves, and computers. Unplug them, or switch off power strips to eliminate phantom electricity use. Save even more energy by improving heating and cooling efficiency. Seal your home’s air leaks with caulking, weatherstripping, or extra insulation. To identify trouble spots, perform a home energy audit yourself or ask whether your utility company offers free audits. Remember to keep vents clean and change furnace filters regularly. Can you pull the plug on energy loss?
Responsible Manufacturing
Artist: Karen Ami
Sustainability is a top priority as corporations focus on not only products produced, but on the manufacturing process as well. Responsible manufacturing incorporates increasing energy efficiency, eliminating waste, recycling of materials, and lowering carbon emissions in factories. Corporations are proving there is green in being green – among Fortune 100 companies, 60% adopted sustainable practices. Environmentally conscious manufacturers are developing products that can be more easily recycled at the end of their useful life-cycle, aiming to avoid landfill waste. Manufacture a greener way!
Unity is Strength
Artist: Muriel Napoli
Designed in Marseille, France, this globe balances dark and light, with the oceans painted a deep blue and the continents covered in brightly colored flags. Each Nation’s flag bears their ideals, which while not miraculous, are a source of positive energy. Just as these flags have joined edges and covered this globe, it is important for our world to join together in fighting climate change. Share research, along with developments in science and technology. Take a cue from neighboring nations and advocate for aggressive emission reduction. There is a lot to be gained by another nation’s learning’s – be inspired and act together. Alone we are great, together we are best.
Get Involved
Artist: Nancy L. Steinmeyer | “First We Scream, Then We Act”
Climate change is a problem without an easy solution. The artist Edward Munch’s famous painting The Scream might represent the planet calling out for help. The “I want you” image provokes us to act. Before you can help confront climate change, it’s important to get educated on the issue. Look into joining or volunteering with an environmental or community organization working to make a difference. Stay involved politically by voting for candidates who will advance climate-friendly solutions and urging your elected representatives to pursue sensible environmental laws. Try to incorporate eco-friendly practices in your home, at your work place, and throughout your community. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The planet wants you!
Protect the Rainforests
Artist: Constance Mallinson | “Souvenir”
Rainforests are the Earth’s oldest living ecosystem – and while they cover only about 6% of the Earth’s surface, rainforests contain more than half of the world’s plant and animal species. The destruction of rainforests is causing 20% of the world’s global warming pollution – about as much as all the power plants, factories and vehicles every year. We must take steps to reduce the losses. Governments should be encouraged to create large parks and reserves where logging and agribusiness are not permitted. Consumers should be encouraged to support companies committed to safe environmental practices. This globe illustrates Earth’s beauty and our delicate ecosystems and the animals and ocean life that inhabit them. The New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean conservation with research projects around the world designed to protect marine life and habitats.
Service Your Car
Artist: Derric Clemmons | “Under Pressure”
A well-maintained car is significantly more fuel-efficient than a poorly maintained one. Regular tune-ups can increase fuel efficiency by four percent, properly inflated tires raise it by three percent, using the recommended motor oil adds a further two percent, and checking and replacing clogged air filters raise efficiency by a whopping 10 percent! All told, a serviced car can increase its fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent and save thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Incorporating tire treads and tire pressure nozzles, Derric Clemmons’ globe reminds viewers to properly care for their car’s tires. The “treads” placed above and below the globe are made of several different media, including cement compounds, sawdust and sand, and have been blown dry with heat. Each nozzle is chrome-plated to contrast the globe’s green hue and multicolored continents.
Adjust The Thermostat
Artist: Lindsay Obermeyer | “Warm Up NYC: Wear a Sweater”
In the old days, folks warmed up by putting on a sweater or cozying up to a crackling fire. Common sense solutions like these are good choices again in the fight against climate change. Half the energy used in your home runs your heating and cooling systems. You can curb greenhouse gas by simply adjusting your thermostat. Try setting the temperature at 68 or lower in the winter and 78 or higher in the summer. Programmable thermostats let you regulate temperature to conserve energy when you are asleep or away. Don’t be afraid to ask restaurant, theater, or office managers to turn down the air conditioning. Commercial buildings consume about one fifth of all energy used in the United States, and up to one third of that is for air conditioning. You shouldn’t need a sweater when it’s 80 degrees outside! Where do you set your thermostat?
Tidal Energy
Artist: Vivian Visser | “Wave Power”
We all know the power of ocean waves. But how many of us know these waves are a viable source of renewable energy? Harnessing the power of the ocean’s water can generate electricity, and this resource has great potential for us now and in the future. The ever-presence of waves allows countries with large coastlines and strong winds to produce 5% or more of their electricity from wave power. One application of this “wave” technology is the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter. The converter, a series of semi-submerged cylinders hinged together, uses the motion of the water to create electricity. Wave farms consisting of three Pelamis machines in the same area have the potential to displace more than 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise be produced by conventional power plants. So catch a wave – and convert it into energy!
Unplugged Fun
Artist: Francis W. Parker School students and faculty | “Non-Electric Play”
Turn off that video game!” What parents haven’t made that demand to protect their children’s mental and physical well-being? Getting outside and playing catch is not only good for the health of our children; it is good for the health of the planet. Greenhouse gas is created from the energy that is used to run the television, laptop, tablet, smart phone and game console. Try tuning out TV and turning off the video game to explore outside. Or enjoy non-electric play such as board games, cooking, reading, craft projects, and sports. When your fun is unplugged, your kids will get more exercise and become more creative while you reduce climate change pollution. Can you tune out TV this week?
Urban Greening
Artist: Kim C. Massey | “Tree of Life”
Shady trees and green spaces are important to maintain in a busy city. Urban greening not only welcomes people to spend time outdoors, but it also helps absorb harmful greenhouse gases. Replacing pavement with trees and flowerbeds, convert rooftops and vacant lots into gardens and parks. Volunteers always play an integral part in preserving and expanding the city’s natural beauty. How can you get involved to change the color of our world?