Of the planet's many limited resources, creativity is not one!
This September, the Secretary General of the United Nations has called upon heads of state to gather in New York City for a historic summit on climate change and challenged world leaders to come to the table with bold commitments towards a more sustainable future. But climate change is not a subject reserved for government officials behind closed doors; it’s a matter that affects each and every one of us directly, locally, personally. This planet belongs to all of us, and now is the time for artists, activists, families, students, workers, makers, and dreamers to stand together and demand the more just, vibrant, and sustainable world we know is within our reach.
In solidarity with the People’s Climate March, an unprecedented climate mobilization to rally the people across the globe, the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture suggests the following ways to get involved, right where you are:
1. People's Videos for the People's Climate March
The concept: People have many reasons to attend the Climate March on September 21st. People's Climate March is making them visible with first-person videos. Here's what they say: "To share your story about why you’ll be marching on September 21st, shoot a short video (under 1 minute, if possible) saying who you are and why you’re coming to the March. Make it personal and don’t hold back. Then upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and copy the link. Bring it back here, click the 'Submit Your Video' button, and fill in a few quick items. After you submit, share your video with your family, friends and other contacts to spread the word!"
You can also visit the site to see short videos by others who have already uploaded theirs.
2. Climate Ribbon - Mass Public Ritual
The concept: The Climate Ribbon is our movement’s equivalent of the AIDS Memorial Quilt—a massive installation and ritual space to grieve what each of us stands to lose to Climate Chaos, and affirm our solidarity as we unite to fight against it. People around the world are writing onto ribbons what they most love in their life—”Next year’s harvest” or “Miami, my city”—that they don’t want to lose to Climate Chaos, and mailing or bringing them to the Climate Ribbon, an arts installation at the end of the People’s Climate March in NYC on 9/21.
The ribbons will form the roots and leaves of a massive tree. Each of us will find a stranger’s ribbon, read it aloud, have the crowd answer “We are with you,” then tie it on their wrists and take it home with them, committing themselves to work to beat back Climate Chaos so that our worst fears never come true. Together, our commitments weave a giant thread connecting all of us us as we work for a healthy, sustainable planet. Will you send in your ribbon to help realize this vision of collective reflection, ritual, and redemptive action?
How it works:
- On a ribbon about 2 feet long, write what you most love in your life that you don’t want to lose to Climate Chaos. On the far right side, add your name, where you live and your age. (Some examples we’ve received: “The coastline of Manhattan. Andy, New York City, age 25.” “The hope that my children can live healthy lives. Jon, Milwaukee, 34."
- Bring your ribbon with you to the People’s Climate March or mail your ribbon to the Climate Ribbon Project, 139 Norfolk #3D, New York, NY 10002.
Find out more: http://www.theclimateribbon.com
3. Our Climate Projected - Collaborative, Participatory Art Installation
The concept: “Our Climate Projected” invites you and people from all of the world to submit short artistic responses and reflections on climate change to be included in a collaborative tapestry of mediums and voices that will be projected in the streets and public spaces of New York city in the weeks leading up to the day of action on September 21st. The piece will be shown as an act of public education and to move New Yorkers to show up in historic numbers to send a message to the United Nations and the world that we need and support real sustainable and immediate responses to climate change. We want to hear from people young and old, rich and poor, from everywhere around the globe. We want to hear from you and everyone you know.
How it works: Pieces may be submitted in any medium: theater, music, dance, visual art, spoken word etc. etc. etc. but will ultimately be included in a projected video format. Therefore short videos, audio recordings, pdfs, jpgs or slides, or other easily convertible formats will work best.
Submissions can be emailed to: ourclimateprojected@gmail.com, or mailed to:
Our Climate Projected | 70 Lefferts Place | Brooklyn, NY 11238
**New** Extended Deadline: September 1. Submissions received after 9/1 cannot be guaranteed inclusion in final installation. Contact ourclimateprojected@gmail.com to learn if there's still time.
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/events/279289735592091
4. Many other ways
Attend an event, organize an action, send photos, join the march, spread the word. The People’s Climate website has great resources and ideas for how you can get involved, wherever you are, however you like. Together, we stand for a future that includes all of us.
Find out more:
http://peoplesclimate.org/global/
See other artistic initiatives happening in conjunction with the Climate March here:
http://peoplesclimatearts.tumblr.com/
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