Have you ever considered the future of our planet if we neglect to care for it properly? Could we find ourselves lounging with cocktails on the shores of a desertified Nevada? Or might the Statue of Liberty become just a solitary torch emerging from an expansive ocean? Perhaps a scuba diving trip in a submerged Washington, DC, could become the next big adventure?
While these scenarios seem alarming, humor can be a coping mechanism; otherwise, we’d be left in despair at the banks of our increasingly polluted rivers. Currently, we are witnessing an alarming rollback of climate change regulations, as this administration seeks to slash the EPA’s budget significantly.
An advertising agency based in Boulder, Colorado, known as TerraVision, has developed a series of thought-provoking posters portraying what future travel advertisements might look like if we ignore climate change. These designs are darkly humorous, provoking a “What on earth are we doing?” reaction. TerraVision has made these posters available for free download in conjunction with the upcoming March for Science.
We spoke with Emma Carter, one of the creative minds behind the project and a passionate advocate for environmentalism, who shared her motivations. As a mother of two young children, Emma believes in empowering her daughters to understand that women can take the lead in advocating for our planet. She expressed her desire to channel her energy into meaningful efforts that truly matter.
Are These Posters Exaggerating the Potential Consequences?
Unfortunately, the EPA presents some alarming statistics if we fail to curb our greenhouse gas emissions. The truth is, our planet is warming. According to the EPA, the Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.5°F over the last century and may increase by another 0.5 to 8.6°F in the next hundred years. If we don’t act decisively, projections suggest that U.S. temperatures could rise by 3°F to 12°F by century’s end. For every 2°F increase, we could see a 15% reduction in Arctic sea ice. Rising sea levels could also reach between 1 to 4 feet. A recent map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration illustrates how the U.S. could look if sea levels rise by 6 feet—it’s a grim picture.
Now is not the time to reduce environmental protections, cut the EPA budget by 31%, or withdraw from the Paris Agreement—a crucial global pact aimed at combating climate change. It’s essential we take global warming seriously and make personal changes to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. If we don’t, TerraVision’s posters may very well be a haunting vision of our dystopian reality.
You can participate in the March for Science this Saturday, a movement dedicated to supporting scientific research and advocacy for our planet. This Earth is our only home; let’s not jeopardize it for future generations. As the March for Science reminds us, “There is no Planet B.”
In Summary
Our future hangs in the balance as climate change continues to threaten our planet. From rising temperatures to increased sea levels, the stakes are high. Let’s take action now to ensure a livable world for our children and embrace opportunities to advocate for change.