Green Issues In Design: Chapter I

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Chapter I.

Design Responsibilities

"By design, then, we do not mean a drawing made in his studio by the designer-a design for something-but rather the thing itself but with that drawing, the preceding idea of the thing and the succeeding process of manufacturer all implicit" Antony Bertram, Design in Everyday things: The BBC(1937). (Neil Maycroft(2018)University Lincoln handout sheet course MA Design)

While researching design responsible companies who have similar believes in eco conscious philosophy I discovered Patagonia who include Environmental issues within their design parameters. 

Patagonia insight : The outdoor clothing company and climbing gear founder Yvon Chouinard is a good example of how a business can consider an ethical business strategy. It turns over currently $230 Million and is known as one of the most environmentally responsible corporations on the Planet. 

In his own words "I realized that our crisis was a microcosm of what was going on all over the world. The world watch institute's state of the world report for that year 1991,stated "With annual output of 20 trillion, the global economy now produces in 17 days what took an entire year to generate in 1900"."Already,economic activity has breached numerous local, regional and global thresholds resulting in the spread of deserts, acidification of lakes and forests and the build up of green house gases. If growth proceeds along this line of recent decades it is only a matter of time before global systems collapse under pressure" ( Chouinard, Y(2006.)from Patogonia Inc founder and owner over  three decades ago ring true within today's climate changing world. One other interesting part of Patogonia is there investments in environmental grass roots conservationist activities(donating $22 trillion to environmental foundations since 1985).

Shopping the Eco Way. It is accurate to suggest that everything we purchase,own thats made will have an environmental impact , therefore one has to ask the question whether you are producers or consumers. Is this purchase necessary? Have I already got this? How can I impact less on the environment? If I am buying something how long will it last? How will I recycle it? when it wears  out or breaks.

Design Philosophy incorporating  ecology based issues can be used whenever a new design is being concepted, thought through and produced, they are guidelines and include updating and developing new strategies to improve eco conscious values of each product.

Including environmental ethics within a design manifesto is a useful design process to go through to encourage a symmetry of ethics which builds a design profile for each design creating a symbiosis  of choices to create cohesion for each design or range for each season.

The following design values and philosophy was developed for Patagonia inc and presented to the board by Jerry Mander (a member of the board of directors in 1991 an author and deep ecologist)

"Our Values: We begin with the premise that all life on Earth is facing a critical time, during which survivability will be the issue that increasingly dominates public concern. 

( Appendix IV.A full explanation)

Inspiration came from the mountains in Patagonia name

Early Patagonia Inc Smithy work

    

        Cultural and Social Philosophy

While researching traditional textiles and anthropology I have noticed how traditional cultures like to practice environmental sustaining practices within their environment for future seasons and for the future of their culture, i.e native American Indians, Inuit's ,Amazonian tribes and many more native cultures of the world. Unfortunately western society has not kept to these traditions and since the industrial revolution has been polluting the world. Because of this some designers and manufacturers have built in their own ethical philosophy.

The philosophy stated in appendix IV was created by Patagonia Inc to help build a brand and keep to their original outdoor ethical approach to life style choices that limits their carbon footprints as much as possible. 

The David Attenborough Effect

The new phrase which is moving through the media is "the Attenborough effect" since his most recent documentary series blue planet showing the devastation that plastic waste in our oceans is having on our wild life through societies views and reactions to his documentaries. This series has helped people to make better choices when purchasing products, re thinking their views on sustainability and environmentalism. The episodes showed a mother whale carrying her dead baby around for days(killed through plastic waste being consumed by the mother whale and it's effect on her milk production) baby birds eating plastic waste, coastlines full of pollution. Their are numerous action groups that have joining pages on the internet encouraging people to protect our oceans and prevent plastic waste.

A recent report by GlobalWebIndex shows that 53% of people surveyed in the US and UK have reduced their single use plastic over the last 12 months.

"Over the past year, the fight against plastic pollution has gained momentum around the world. More than 60 countries have taken action to restrict plastic production and consumption, major multinational companies have invested in alternatives, and ordinary people have spearheaded ocean clean-ups. And now the movement he helped to grow is driving fundamental change at legislative level. The UK government is currently consulting with plastic experts to develop polices to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic production, according to Geoff Brighty, the technical director of plastic Oceans. " It is has really crystallised in the government's mind that the public consciousness has moved to a place where we don't want it to affect our ecosystems,Brightly said"(GlobalCitizen.org by Joe McCarthy and Erica Sanchez .accessed 28/07/19). Appendix XV and Appendix XVII include market research on new emerging design innovations and predicted design future concepts.

Traditional collage was adapted using photoshop negative positive effect to use within tote bag lining. The pattern represents carbon footprints and the desire to save our environment.(my daughters foot print taken when she was a baby)

Hand made collage to create pattern repeat. I have since learnt how to pattern repeat using photoshop applications, however to gain initial concepts I still use my sketch book cut and glue to gain inspiration initially.

                                      Plastic Waste

Initial hand printing using old cast iron printing alphabet pieces used in old printing presses. Developed into a screen print to use as a slogan on the back of tote bags to encourage consumers to use less single use plastics.

There are a number of key debates occurring within our government including a white paper on the fashion industry and it's key effects on wastage and recycling of which can be read in full via the link Fashion and sustainability.

(https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvaud/2311/231102.htm)

Fashion & sustainability

Recommendation 1

1.We want to see a thriving fashion industry in the UK that provides decent work, inspires creativity and contributes to the economic success of the UK. The fashion industry’s current business model is unsustainable, especially with growing populations and rising levels of consumption across the globe. Over-consumption and climate change are driving widespread environmental damage. The exploitative and linear business model for fashion must change. The various parts of the fashion industry must come together to set out their blueprint for a net zero emissions world. This will require reducing their carbon consumption back to 1990 levels. Given scientists’ stark warnings on climate change and biodiversity loss, we need to fix fashion. (Paragraph 22).(Appendix VI:Fashion and Sustainability white paper:Houses of parliament whitepaperUK)

One of the key pointers in todays society within global issues concerning product design is the plastic waste situation that is currently occurring at this moment and also the problem of all the plastic that has ever been produced is still on the planet, taking hundreds of years to decompose if ever!

 The pollution of our planets eco system and the fact that plastic can be found in every part of our oceans entering our food change and effecting climate change through the erosion of our natural habitat.Via the sequential removal of oxygenated plants and animals to effect draw down processes removing the reduction of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.Appendix IX contains a scientific paper on Marine Plastic pollution and current and future trends on plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans across the globe.

One of the key factors that scientists have recognised is the ever increasing rubbish dumps within key areas of our oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage dump, it's current size as big as Alaska or France.

   Below is a short clip showing and describing the Great Pacific Garbage Dump

Green Issues in Design :Overview

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                                                            Overview

       4R Rule:Refuse,Reduce,Reuse,Recycle,(+Rot)

Green issues or environmentally sustainable design principles: is the philosophy of design of physical objects and or services that comply with the principles of ecological sustainability. That is producing something that has been produced using the least amount of waste, using natural resources that are compostable in order to reduce pollution. Also extended longevity element to reduce landfill excessive use. This would include durability and design direction using classic models to keep its usability not only durable but also timeless within its design structure. These principles allow a product to have a longer physical use and when it has finished its life cycle returns to landfill or is recycled or even up cycled to reduce carbon emissions. A personal carbon footprint for a product design life cycle.

The definition of a carbon footprint is “the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organisation or community”. Nearly everything a human being does will amount to a certain amount of emissions into the atmosphere, but how much depends on what is done or purchased. This means you can increase or decrease your own personal carbon footprint by making personal lifestyle choices. In turn when a product is made it has a consumption level which can be analysed through how much water, energy and natural resources it takes to make it.

My project brief analysis is based on looking at the contextual nature of green issues within design parameters, showing awareness through researching contemporary aspects of green questions and answers. Analysing economics, politics and social impact of design principles for a greener consumer environment. Including strategical campaigns historical and contemporary that include environmental issues that designers and consumers need to debate analyse and strategise. Weaving a pathway of concepts and viewpoints for a new generation of designers and consumers to follow or avoid.

“Curiosity is a desire to know how things work and interrelate and why the world is as it is. From explorers who sought new horizons and new lands to the scientists who have made discoveries that help how the world ticks, curiosity has been a major driver of development” (.Ambrose.G.Harris.P.(2015:p52)

I can remember one of my very first memories of curiosity was when I was a child in my junior school steering out of the classroom window towards the Wendy House that stood right outside the window. One of my most abiding memories of my school days was when my favourite teacher Mrs Jones got the key and opened it up, so we could all go in and play one afternoon, as I am sure we all have memories similar within the memory of curiosity. Curiosity can be divided into two types of thinking categories diverse curiosity and epistemic curiosity.

Within the forward chapters of this assignment I will attempt to disclose and examine the design thinking behind my test projects within my final MA Design Project brief. Including a detailed analysis of todays consumer desires for green ecology issues whether you are designing, manufacturing or buying. The need for change in terms of looking at individual carbon footprints to recognise the impact on our consumer worlds destructive globally known climate change effect.

The following clip shows a recent houses of commons debate including the speaker Sir David Attenborough helping the current MPs understand the need for action against plastic pollution

                                         (Go to appendix XVIII for the full 60 minute meeting)

Within the new climate change emergency campaign rallies and debates is a current and fundamentally important part of the future of design and for consumer behaviour to choose and dictate rather than except what’s on offer on the high street. The reasons for green issues, the greenhouse effect, global warming tragedy that is currently running within global affairs. I will be questioning and responding to the need for everyone of us to be more eco conscious and driving forward a need to be less wasteful which todays human mankind’s utopia of all things convenient is also killing off all our natural resources. Mass extinction, the destruction of our ozone layer and the ever-increasing depletion of our polar ice caps.

Within my research findings I have found links to current social, political and cultural needs within today’s world. While researching climate change, the reasons, why’s and how’s to answer current questions of how we can reduce global warming and answering the needs to make people aware of plastic waste and its destructive influence on our planet’s natural world. Has become one of the key areas of interest within my project. My exploration of visual responses linked to ecology and how within subtle visual campaigns for global environmental issues. I have attempted to investigate green conservation eco conscious processes including natural dyes and inks through to visual imagery to inform the viewer of conservation biology issues. How designers have links to this emerging social need to protect our blue planet. I  intend to make current conclusions to the collision between mass extinction and the current plastic waste pandemic problem. The need for environmental change within the human race, current behaviour and new strategies and laws emerging.
As we have all seen via media and news reports plastic waste is killing large numbers of marine mammals, fish and birds(Appendix VIII).It has also come to light that Japan has removed their links with the international banning of whales and is currently starting to kill whales for their whale industry.
Below is a short clip showing how the whaling industry has effected todays climate change current problems and how if we hadn't endangered one of the largest and most important mammals of our oceans(the apex mammal of the ocean food chain how things would be so much better in terms of carbon emissions in todays world).

(Appendix I) Overview of Proposal Plan MA Design Project.

Whale tail in heaven fabric repeat developed using traditional photographs integrated using photoshop techniques.

Green Issues in Design : Introduction

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                                                   Introduction

Design responsibilities: Within this assignment I am posing to unpack the needs and desires required in todays world of responsible design perspectives, including in particular the needs of our planet in order for human mankind to find a sustainable future. My project is an exploration of the natural world, looking at the way natures resources are depleting and how ecology is developing and where it should be heading to create a better future for our planet. Integrating traditional and digital art to create new textiles and wall art. I did this by developing five test projects. My reasoning was to take a traditionalist practice and integrate it within digital imagery. To create new imagery that encourages consumers to think in a more eco conscious value and by doing this can help with the reduction of carbon emissions to draw down climate change to save Antarctica from disappearing. The need to experiment and resolve certain design aspects of my project was also inherent with my research including skills in natural dying and eco printing inks to evoke a concern and direction for better eco conscious green vales within my design practice.

The objectives for my exploratory projects is to encourage social impact in regard to ecology issues linked to our depleting natural world within visual impacts .Choosing to also develop natural dyes and inks( a forgotten skill which can easily be rekindled as the norm through education and knowledge distribution). My online blog has helped me with this task and became a crucial part of my final project appraisal.(Appendix II,V)

Blog introduction page(www.naturesarmour.blogspot.accessed.June.2019)

My point is to use materials and practical awareness of ecology-based practices to encourage consumers and viewers to seek a deeper understanding of their own carbon footprint.To change their consumer behavior to use less single use plastics and to also be aware of other issues to decrease carbon emissions for a better ecology future for our planet. I have chosen questions like : How much of the planets resources does it take to make a product and what are the key impacts on the environment are important?

What are the best green solutions within designing and what are the implications of global warming, pollution, plastics in our oceans, ice caps melting.

What does it all mean and how can we as individuals make a difference?

“My first plan of action was to look at my own consumption of single use plastics and see how I could make a positive change to reduce my own carbon footprint” I thought. By questioning myself I formulated a series of test projects to see what questions and answers I could study and develop. AppendixI/ II explains my proposal in more detail.The project brief in short, with this plan came a comprehensive journal which I developed in sketch book form, journalizing in leather bound diaries and actual practical work of which I added in a comprehensive why to an online blog which became the major driving force of my exploratory projects. Which was then printed in book form with added links using current phone and ipad technology, known as a QR code(Appendix II). This process of enquiry and journalism has been beneficial to my design practice of which I will continue to develop, not only does it help me it also allows me to share my beliefs and those of a bigger community online and through word of mouth.

Sketch books developed over MA course.

Note books
Sketch books developed during MA project.

Extract from blog (www.naturesarmour.blogspot.com.accessed June2019)

A Retrospective View.

In order to contextualize my current creative direction. I believe it's important to take a reflective view point moving in order to move forward with my project developments looking back on my previous career as a knitwear designer within a eco conscious designer lead handcrafted knitwear business. Designing soft accessories for a global market including customers Paul Smith Ltd, Burberry's, Harrods, Selfridges, Blue Marin, Sax's 5th Avenue.

Pret-a-porter fashion show

images from previous fashion business.

Fashion shoot for Good House keeping-Malta

Marketing image for Original Sample.

Fashion Show BA hons Knitwear Design 1987 Business News Clips and Documentary of previous business

Green Issues in Design : Ecology Evolution: Abstract

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Abstract

“The epidemic psychosis of our time is the lie of believing we have no ethical obligation to our planetary home.”  Theodore Roesak

.(https://libquotes.com/theodore-roszak/works/the-voice-of-the-earth.accessed Aug.2019)

The reasoning behind this book has come from a comprehensive journal documenting a project brief for a Masters Degree at University Lincoln of which extracts can be viewed in (Appendix I /II)

Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the observed century-scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system and its related effects. Multiple lines of scientific evidence show that the climate system is warming.^] Many of the observed changes since the 1950s are unprecedented in the instrumental temperature record, and in paleoclimate proxy records of climate change over thousands to millions of years.^{(http://thetechnews.com/2017/07/26/global-warming-scenarios//.accessed 25/08/2019.11.28am)}

Castro trophic tipping point of Global Climate Change. The point were the planets biodiversity, natural resources for energy, climate change and the eradication of our polar regions of our planet will reach us into an era were we will have lost the natural resources to service the human race, a world of non-biodiversity.

“This is already happening with the effects of serious weather changes, alterations in global carbon cycles, eco systems degradations, mass extinction, increases in demands of water food and energy needs. Potentially we can change the devastation we are in by changing our habits, it is a planetary emergency to avoid a global catastrophe. However many scientists believe change will never happen as the world is run via monetary values” (Appendix III:transcript Ten Billion years Director:Peter Webber:writer Stephen Emmott).

Therefore it is every bodies responsibility to live sustainable lives, just like it is our responsibility to put litter in a bin “consume less and strive to be carbon neutral”

The Anthropecene;Making sense of the climate change 

                     A good short definition of the Anthropocene is explained in (Appendix XII)


                                                 The Project Brief MA Design.

The story of our natural habitats and wildlife through the eyes of an ecology-based design perspective to develop and debate strategies and outcomes for a better and greener world thorough our own personal lifestyle choices is of what I’m trying to develop and analyze as a designer and a consumer.(Appendix II)

"Purposely looking at ways to reduce the impact on the environment by choosing more eco sound production processes, materials and longevity of design principles to create the most economically ecology effective products or services."

                               Looking closely at my dissemination development

Initially I created imagery to add to a tote bag as a reason to promote environmental and conservational issues connected to plastic pollution of our oceans.
Semiotics is an interesting  research value within  product design imagery "Semiotics definition, the study of signs and sign -using behaviour. it was defined by one of its founders, the swiss linguist Ferninand De Saussure, as the study of the life of signs within society and include emojis, road signs and corporate logos" described in the Britannica dictionary.(https://www.britannica.com/science/semiotics.accessed Aug.2019)Tote bags for shopping have traditionally been used to advertise company logos brands, statements connected to human nature ie I love ?, be green, save the planet etc.
A product with a design on it to add social impact, is about communicating  above and beyond its function. 
However in this case a tote bag has a function on the basis that it removes single use plastic use when it is used in connection to shopping and directly links to the concerns of  the campaign advertised.  Tote bags can be added and used to promote proto types within the range of fabrics and wall art created and the philosophy is that tote bags can be added to many ranges of products to exclude plastic use within consumer trading. Donations from sales could can also go to environmental campaigns including Antarctica Ocean Sanctuary and therefore act as advertisement for social change and the use of raising funds. These products can also be used as part of a package when purchasing from many ranges (removing the need of unnecessary packaging).

Slogan used on the back of Tote bags to promote Antarctica from depleting and it's eventual total loss of ice caps.                    The Green Consumer The green consumer and green activist is someone who is passionate about ecology and concerned with saving the planets natural environment. As Green peace Explains “People are passionate about peace, passionate about positive change through action. Together we are unstoppable.(GreenPeace.org.uk accessed July.2018).Research suggests that brands that establish a reputation for sustainability can inherit a younger millennial consumer base and build on their reputation for sustainable products. One aspect is even more clearer is that people wanting sustainable products also expect quality and durability within their purchases. As the guardian points out , explaining recent governmental reports on consumer behaviour.(Appendix XIV)

Green Issues in Design :Acknowledgements

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      Green issues in Design.   Acknowledgements.

                         

I would like to thank all those people responsible for helping me through my exploratory project brief discussing green issues within my MA Design course work.

Considering design making, design practice and consumer awareness for a better future for our planet. Striving for a sustainable future, I would like to acknowledge a special mention to Felicity Shum who not only helped me on a practical level within print making but also within a mentoring role and friendship ,while I was processing through my academic philosophy and design practical work.

The main issues of concern within my project is based around current climate change issues and concerns for our oceans and wildlife which are currently under threat. While progressing through the different aspects of the courses curriculum I chose to specialize within a Green Peace Campaign “Antarctica Ocean Sanctuary.

I would like to thank Green Peace for their current and past climate change campaigning including their desires to ban whaling. Through their untiring approach from their early beginnings which through my own life experiences, I have watched and respected for many years.

May the diligence and struggles of climate change campaigning continue until the world becomes a global sanctuary without pollution and destructive practice via human mankind’s desire for monetary gain.

I would also like to make a special mention to Prince Charles and the Princes Trust for making my independent career possible allowing me to live a life style choice that incorporated sustainable fashion choices for my customer base and myself. Allowing me to be part of a new generation of eco conscious designers leading the way to improve production processes to include handcrafted items using natural resources reducing waste and improving choices for the consumer.

May Holden nee Leithhead (my Grandmother)

My grandmother May Leithhead fell walking in the Scottish highlands who influenced my desires and dreams for a natural world paying attention to my own impacts on the environment. She was an advocate to environmental concerns for our natural environment.

Appendix 1:Includes Extracts from Design Journal

The Green Peace Story Documentary: The Ecology fight for a cleaner World :You tube : The Green Peace Promotion : Short Clip You tube : End to Japanese Whaling in Antarctica :Youtube

Green Issues : Design and Lifestyle Choices

Eco Evo:Green Issues

Images of MA Show and MA Journal.

By Victoria Meadows

MA Design : Dissertation 

                                                     History of Conservation of Nature


The beginning of conservation and respect for nature can be seen through history starting from early history of mankind when nature’s wildlife and seasons were incorporated into early religions i.e Sun gods, sacrifices to improve weather changes and harvests. Customs and ancient ceremonies to pay homage to the earth’s natural surroundings can be seen through different cultures around the world.
Specific laws were created in medieval times to protect woodland for the pleasure of nobility and royals. After the Norman conquest large areas of land were annexed using forest laws.
Some of the first conservation areas of the early medieval period were granted mainly so that landowners and royalty could hunt freely. Knowing there would not be any depletion of game in their private woods by making it illegal to poach on the kings lands

Forest laws were extended in the 18^th century called the black law, hanging people for encroaching on to Royal hunting grounds. These laws extended to overseas colonies of which the remnants are used to create conservation areas today. Re wilding is a relatively old theory which is being used today to create new Natural areas of land to help reach  drawdown to prevent global warming
Conservation needs of today go far more than previously has ever seen. Individuals can become a movement of people activism, campaigning and demanding change through group discussions and using the world web. I have challenged this theory through my blog "NaturesArmour,blogspot.com and through my dissemination I added my blog to social media, it is also currently life on line. I have received enough feedback to increase my page reviews by adding to community blogsites to increase awareness of climate change, lifestyle choices and green design strategies within design.



                                 Environmental Impact of Humans

Historically humans have been having an impact on our environment since evolution evolved our planet and homo Sapiens became the super power race against most predators. When as hunters and gathers humans started to farm and domesticate animals we can see climate change being effected by mankind’s lifestyle. 


During the late 19^th century within Industrial Revolution a number of Artists and critics voiced their concerns. In regard to pollution. (“If only the geologists would let me alone, I could do very well, but those dreadful Hammer’s! I hear the dink of them at the end of every cadence of the Bible verses”.(John Ruskin, letter to Henry Acland 1851).
 As the textile designer, poet and social activist William Morris explains the need that "Nature and History Morris asserted were, or at least ought to be, the two great teachers of mankind. This statement shows in part Morris's environmentist values and is connected to the pre-Raphaelite art movement that includes the aesthetic movement. His hatred for the industrial revolution is well documented. When researching textile history we can see great changes during the industrial revolution created by Britain's technical innovations resulting in social change.

                                          

        Textile Technologies/Handmade

 Within the twentieth and twenty-first century we are seeing new transformations of design, manufacture and consumer interaction. As it is explained in The Handbook of Textile Culture "In  a post-industrial culture the artisanal, material cultures once marginalized as lacking the authority of symbolic meaning, or the capacity for abstract thinking, are becoming reconsidered as a source of knowledge. Integrating the techne-technique and technologies of manufacturer by hand and machine". A new collaboration of the old and the new, techniques, philosophies and theories of knowledge. 


                                  

        Design Choices and Lifestyle Issues

“The Romantic movement which included aestheticism were protesting over the destruction of idyllic rural life for a world of dark Satanic Mills written in William Blake’s 1804 poem.” (Lewis and Maslin.2018.206). One of the earliest environmental needs based action campaigns was created by the artist/poet Sir William Blake. He started an organization called the coal smoke abatement society which was founded in Richmond in 1898 which resulted in the smoke abatement Act including soot, ash and gritty particles.

Another well known campaign that ended in a riot was in Nottinghamshire when “artisanal textile workers broke machines to defend their wages against further declines. Known as the Luddites they began in Arnold, Nottingham, on 11^th March 1811, with over two thousand people marching and then smashing sixty-eight spinning frames”.(Lewis and Maslin,2018.206). 
Scientific revolution sprung into the new industrial world. An example of this is when in 1824 Joseph Aspdin patented a chemical process known as Portland cement which has since revolutionized building techniques. Electricity, the invention of the light bulb and the use of fossil fuels have contributed to today’s global warming.

A lot of new knowledge came out of the 19^th century including Darwin’s theory of evolution which set religious philosophy against scientists in fact Darwin did not publish his papers due to concerns via ridicule from religious leaders.

"In their seminal work, Cloth and Human Experience, Weiner and Schneider(1991) remark that 'complex' moral and sexuality, find ready expression through cloth. Indeed they argue, 'cloth has further organizational of social and political life', evoking ideas of tying or bringing together many different kinds of publics whether through the banners of the Suffragettes and Trade Unions or the wrapping of the fences at Greenham Common, or the laying down of Aids quilt or through addressing issues and relations that are not pre-given through kinship but are produced in gatherings and cooperations." (Jefferies.J.Wood Conroy.D.Clark.H(2018)The hand book of textile Culture.Bloomsbury.)


              

                                   Carbon Dioxide Spike

 Scientists are working across the globe

 researching how environmental strategies across the globe are being carried out in order to keep current and develop new emerging  techniques to reverse global warming. 

http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence(14.08.2019 3.00pm)this graph is based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric C02, has increased since the industrial revolution.

   Ocean Theme

Oceans and sea creatures have been depicted within art and design since ancient Greeks and Romans and other ancient cultures, tribes and religions. I have chosen to use oceans, wildlife, natural flora, nautical imagery as my focus in order to improve knowledge of conservation and marine ecology of our oceans. The oceans contain a huge variety of life recent estimations conclude their are up to 2 million species found in and around coral reefs, the sea produces around half of all oxygen we breath( thanks to phytoplankton, tiny single cell ocean plants). The ocean also sequences large amounts of dangerous carbon dioxide. The ocean regulates our climate, cool waters soak up heat from the sun, they are a big part of our life support system. It is estimated that that 8 million tonnes of plastic waste is dumped in our oceans and it is set to double by 2025

Environmentalists

Ocean biologist Jacque Cousteau (1910-1997) was an inspiration when I was growing up and also for many people interested in ocean environmental and conservation issues.



Recently Jaques Cousteau’s grandson has been part of a series of documentaries highlighting environmental and conservation issues of our planets oceans. He specializes in oceanography which is looking into scientific aspects of our oceans to better understand what is happening due to pollution and global warming issues.

His grandson has recently also highlighted concerns in regard to melting ice gaps in Antarctica and has explained present forecasts are not accurate.

This graph by Nasa on line shows up to date figures going back to 1979.

                  
                                                                A clip from CNN News on Jacque Cousteau