Exhibit showcases CO2 Toaster as a creative example of Art & Science working together
Don’t wait until we’re toast! Cut your CO2 Now!
Use the CO2 Toaster Widget To Track CO2
Toronto, Canada — June 2010:
Science Art-Nature, based in Palo-Alto, California, plugged in the CO2 Toaster for an online art exhibit held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Pacific Region of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
The animated CO2 Toaster widget is one of 38 artworks selected for exhibit as examples of Science Art. The widget was designed to be an engaging and memorable tool to track CO2. It is a creative collaboration by artist/author Franke James, designer/programmer Bill James, and Michael McGee, creator of CO2Now.org.
The CO2 Toaster always shows the latest monthly data by pulling NOAA data for atmospheric CO2 from the Mauna Loa Observatory in the United States. The code can easily be added to most websites or blogs.
Why is tracking CO2 important?
Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author of Eaarth, has noted: “350 is a very tough number. We’re already well past it. The atmosphere holds 390 ppm today, which is why the Arctic is melting and the ocean steadily acidifying. To get back to a safe level we need a very rapid halt to the use of coal, gas and oil so that forests and oceans can absorb some of that carbon.”
The story behind the CO2 toaster
Franke James says, “We developed the CO2 toaster as our personal climate action for 350.org’s Day of Climate Action. We thought it was the best way to deliver this simple message on a daily basis: Don’t wait until we’re toast! Cut your CO2 Now! Since that event in October 2009, thousands of toasters have been downloaded for free. The opportunity to spread the message further through the Science Art-Nature exhibit was perfect. The toaster shows that artistic metaphors and concrete data can mix to produce lively offspring. Right brain people and left brain people can work together and produce some amazing results.”
Michael McGee comments, “CO2 prefers to keep quiet and out of sight. The CO2 Toaster widget yanks away the invisibility cloak and reveals the CO2 trend for the culprit that it is. This widget grabs attention and shares important information about our planet. Not only does it say what CO2 is right now, it shows what CO2 has been, and what it should be.”
The Science Art-Nature Exhibit
The 38 images included in the 25-topic exhibit will remain online as part of Science Art-Nature’s mission to raise the prominence of Science Art and the benefits of combining the accuracy of science with the evocative power of art. The exhibit helps to communicate the benefits of Science Art by informing viewers about nature and encouraging the sustainable use of resources.
What is Science Art?
“Works of Science Art skillfully represent truths about the world and its creatures, often suggesting important connections among subjects and their surroundings and teaching us indirectly about nature itself.” Science Art-Nature
Science Art Categories: The 35 categories included Atmospheric and Oceanographic Sciences, Organismal Biology, Ecology, Anthropological Approaches to Environmental Change, Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Computer and Information Sciences Link, Education, Agriculture and Horticulture, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Protection.
Participating Artists: Bev Abbott, Chris Augusta, Carel P. Brest van Kempen, Martha Brouwer, Pery Burge, Kelly Dodge, Christophe Drochon, Lori Dunn, Ulco Glimmerveen, Franke James, Bill James, and Michael McGee, David N. Kitler, Martin Lasack, Liz Lee, Terry Miller, Robert Mullen, Rick Pas, Patricia Pepin, Teri Power, Jennifer Rodriguez, Edward Rooks, Judith Gebhard Smith, Jim Turanchik, Darryl Wheye, Ria Winters, Floy Zittin.
About Science Art-Nature
Science Art-Nature is a nonprofit organization founded by Stanford University scientists, Don Kennedy and Paul Ehrlich, artists Tony Angell and Darryl Wheye, and nonprofit consultant Pamela Meadowcroft. It has launched an online Science Art exhibit with the generous support of Artists for Conservation (AFC) Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University (CCB) National Audubon Society Stanford Institute for Creativity and the Arts (SiCa) and an anonymous donor. The exhibit features artwork relevant to the research presented at the AAAS Pacific Division meeting, “The Art of Science,” Ashland, Oregon, 13-17 June, 2010.
Exhibit link
Franke James merges science, art and storytelling to inspire people to take action and “do the hardest thing first” for the planet. Franke uses her skills as an artist, photographer and writer to create visual essays on environmental and social issues. She is the author of two award-winning books, Bothered By My Green Conscience and Dear Office-Politics, the game everyone plays.
July 14th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Unfortunately I have absolutely no faith that politics will move to solve this emergency. I don’t see even a glimmer of hope, and so in the end, I think, the earth will just shake us off into extinction. It doesn’t take much of a violent event to take us out en masse. Great visual essay, Franke, as usual.
July 14th, 2010 at 8:50 am
VIA TWITTER:
@Blackdogworld Want to see climate change in a cool. visual format? @frankejames http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar Stunning job! PLZ RT this is good
July 14th, 2010 at 8:59 am
VIA TWITTER
@PaulMalouf RT @EricPooley Wow, got to see this! @frankejames amazing, powerful graphical review of The #Climate War http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar #green
July 14th, 2010 at 9:03 am
VIA TWITTER
@CunningDC MUST READ: Climate Change- A Visual Essay by @frankejames feat. @EricPooley’s TheClimateWar http://bit.ly/bFEmtD #climate #bp
July 14th, 2010 at 10:54 am
VIA TWITTER
@PamMcAllister Fascinating visual essay by @frankejames on climate change — creative medium! http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar
July 14th, 2010 at 10:55 am
VIA TWITTER
@jmsperling Great new visual essay from @frankejames on “The #Climate War” http://ow.ly/2bi7T (Always happy when her stuff shows up in my RSS reader!)
July 14th, 2010 at 10:56 am
VIA TWITTER
@NobleFreshEnerg .@FrankeJames ‘s stuff is great. Hope everyone sees her take on @EricPooley ‘s book: http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar
July 14th, 2010 at 11:32 am
I refuse to give in to the nihilistic despair that seems to afflict so many who care about the Earth. There are hopeful signs all around us, if we choose to see them — and we can build on them. Thanks for what you’re doing, Franke.
July 14th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
This is as good as it gets–the marriage of James’ superb graphic talent and environmental sophistication with the vision, clarity, and detail of a investigative genius like Pooley. This is a cultural-environmental masterpiece!
Bravo!
Stacy Clark
July 14th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
VIA TWITTER
@lapplando check out artist @frankejames inner battles with climate change, politics, and the race to save our planet http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar
July 14th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
VIA TWITTER
@wiredal Just read a wonderful visual essay by @frankejames: Ending the Climate War http://bit.ly/alcFP0 . Read it & then share it.
July 14th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
VIA TWITTER
@IndependncFilms Brilliant illustrated piece by the treasured & talented @frankejames : http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar
July 14th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
VIA TWITTER
@ecofashionista @frankejames has done it again! http://bit.ly/bagTYw – thank you Franke for yet another visually powerful piece #climatechange
July 14th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
VIA TWITTER
@HyperionVoice A PICTORAL BOOK REVIEW?! Never seen anything like it! Franke James’s take on THE CLIMATE WAR http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar
July 14th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
VIA TWITTER
@ADHumlen Wow! Powerful! Must see! (and so cleverly illustrated) @frankejames graphical review of The #Climate War http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar #eco
July 14th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
VIA TWITTER
@RevkinThis is a VERY cool @FrankeJames comic-strip-review-op-art-op-ed look at @ericpooley Climate Wars: http://j.mp/ArtPooley #art #newmedia
July 14th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
VIA TWITTER
@OneClimate: totally ace —> check out @frankejames’ new comic strip book review of The Climate War. http://bit.ly/bPhZzm #climate
July 14th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
VIA TWITTER
@TheEcoist: Check out @frankejames’ extraordinary visual essay inspired by @ericpooley’s important new book The Climate War http://ht.ly/2bCBE
July 15th, 2010 at 2:45 am
I didn’t cry, but I felt like crying. Both at the beginning and at the end. It’s amazing how you do what you do. PLEASE KEEP GOING.
July 15th, 2010 at 3:13 am
VIA TWITTER
@CO2Now: “It’s the environment, stupid” Read “Ending the climate war” at http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=1138
July 15th, 2010 at 10:15 am
VIA TWITTER
@Santnamor2013: RT @frankejames: Thnx @silverbeet for RT on “Ending the Climate War”. I hope it gets signatures on the petitions to Washington! http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar
July 15th, 2010 at 11:20 am
VIA TWITTER
@jallen300: The greatest (& most important) comic of the year: http://bit.ly/alcFP0 Americans, please read, ACT, and RT! #climate
July 15th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
VIA TWITTER
@RepowerAmerica: RT @CunningDC MUST READ: Climate Change- A Visual Essay by @frankejames feat. @EricPooley’s TheClimateWar http://bit.ly/bFEmtD
July 15th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
VIA TWITTER
@Edouard_Stenger: @frankejames does it again with a new visual essay : The climate war http://bit.ly/bFEmtD Simply awesome ! Read it NOW !
July 15th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
VIA TWITTER
@OneClimate RT @jallen300: The greatest comic of the year from @frankejames http://bit.ly/alcFP0 Americans, please read, ACT, and RT!
July 15th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
VIA TWITTER
@StoryRoute: So well done! “Ending the Climate War” from @frankejames http://bit.ly/bFEmtD
July 15th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
VIA TWITTER
@gophermagazine Our very talented friend @frankejames posted an incredible visual essay on ending the climate war http://is.gd/dtr8x – a must-see!
July 15th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I am reading The Climate War right now and it is SO eye opening and I am passing it onto everyone I know! And I am SO proud to say that Eric is a great friend (esp. his dear wife, Pam) and a lovely, down to earth guy! Thanks Franke for putting this together!
July 15th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Kate,
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts as a friend of his! Yes — Eric’s book is an eye-opener. He gives us a unique view into the climate war raging in Washington. His experience as an investigative reporter shines throughout the book.
I hope my essay will motivate people to sign the petitions — and learn more about the politics of climate change by reading The Climate War.
Cheers,
Franke
July 15th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I just ordered The Climate War on my Kindle and will read it straight away. I’ve been so angry at big business, especially oil for a long time and really frustrated and angry over the gulf oil disaster.
Lately some of that frustration has turned on my government – clearly they are incapable of acting in the best interest of people and the planet. Shifting to cleaner methods/ways is a game changer with jobs, the environment, health and safety. Imagine how much more peaceful the world could be without oil as “the ring of power”?
Thank you for another GREAT essay Franke, keep ‘em coming
July 15th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
LaDonna,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. It’s especially interesting coming from YOU as a social change agent. (http://technologyinprevention.blogspot.com/)
Let me know what you think of The Climate War. I think it’s a terrific book — and especially important at this moment in history with the back drop of the Gulf Oil “spill”. I told Eric Pooley that his book made me angry — but I think that’s a good thing. More of us need to get angry about political inaction on climate change.
Best,
Franke
July 16th, 2010 at 11:25 am
VIA TWITTER
@carpefactum: You have to see @frankejames new essay, “Ending Climate War” http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar (expand) – Very Powerful stuff
July 16th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
VIA TWITTER
@RunOnSun: Folks this is awesome – #ClimateChange #ClimateWar by @frankejames http://tinyurl.com/27e2h8g Check it out!
July 16th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
VIA TWITTER
@SarahNow: @FrankeJames amazing beautiful new essay “Ending Climate War Essay” #climate #globalwarming #BP #BPcares #oilspill http://bit.ly/bFEmtD
July 16th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
no cap, no trade. not now not ever. i do not want my future proeperity and freedom to be either capped or traded thank you very much.
-G
July 16th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
VIA TWITTER
@CunningDC RT @NobleFreshEnerg: Best tweet of week is @frankejames: “Ending the Climate War” @ericpooley’s book both inspired… http://ow.ly/2bBcy”
4:38 PM Jul 16th via TweetDeck
July 17th, 2010 at 6:20 am
VIA TWITTER
@argus27: A Must Read : Here is her new visual essay: http://bit.ly/EndClimateWar #sustainability #environment @frankejames
6:20 AM Jul 17th via HootSuite
July 17th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Hi there, I just wanted to add my personal thanks here to Franke — of course I’ve already thanked her on Twittter and in DMs — for unleashing her artistic vision on behalf of my book. There are so many amazing, amazing images in her piece, and the flow of thought and emotion is so very powerful. I’m proud that The Climate War inspired her to action, and I hope the book inspires everyone who reads it to act in his or her own way. That’s why I wrote it. As one of the activists I quote in the book says, ‘Every pebble makes a ripple in the pond.’ We need a lot more pebbles. Franke just tossed a beauty.
July 17th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Eric,
Thanks! It was my absolute pleasure —
I appreciate you being our “fly on the wall” in Washington, and sharing it with us in “The Climate War”. You’ve written an important book, made even more so by its debut at a critical point in history, with the tragic Gulf Oil “spill” and the American Power Act now before the Senate. I hope those reading my essay, and your book, will seize this opportunity to send a strong message to the politicians to wake up and realize, “It’s the Environment, Stupid!”
Best,
Franke
July 17th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Top one looked like “Cthulhu” to me. Go Rorschach.
July 20th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Franke- You are a master of visual emotions! This essay gets to the heart of the matter around fossil fuel energy and how many people must be feeling about the oil spill disaster in the Gulf Coast. There is nothing worse than feeling helpless so thank you for this jam-packed essay and all of the links below, offering a place to take action!
August 18th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Franke, that is so beautiful, it really strikes an emotional chord. The artistic vision is so amazing.
August 20th, 2010 at 4:00 am
Oh, Franke. Don’t give up.
We’re all angry, but we need to keep fighting. I know how you feel, because sometimes I just want to SCREAM at the sheer stupidity of it all.
I don’t get the mindset of people who think our world is negotiable.
But don’t give up. There’s this old saying: Don’t get angry. Get even. Keep working, and the tide really will turn.