No. 21: The urgency behind those controversial protests
Hey everyone! We somehow survived all of the controversy of the soup splattering art climate activist drama, so let’s start dive in!
The soup on art protest at the National Gallery
The story is (in case you’re living under a rock or just don’t care), two young individuals at the National Gallery in London splattered Vincent Van Gogh’s famous painting, Sunflowers, with tomato soup, to spectators’ utter horror. In the video, several shrieks and someone calling security can be heard, as the protestors quickly glue their hands to the wall and sit there until their arrest and removal from the museum.
For some background, the painting suffered minor damage as it was protected by glass, but “the frame was slightly damaged.” The reason these activists chose this museum of all places was due to their funding by big oil.
My thoughts: obviously everyone is entitled to their own thoughts (and trust me, I saw plenty!), but I personally found this more ‘backwards’ than progressive. Although it did draw attention to the fact museums like National Gallery are funded fossil fuels, this left a negative connotation for many ‘average people’ as they will only think of climate activists as hurtful and careless for ruining ‘a masterpiece.’ While they do make a fair point, we’ve learned from this that people care more about art than their own lives, so I guess it’s time to pivot?
(Below) CW: death/suicide
Lastly, this tweet reminded me how the majority of people will talk all they want about a slightly damaged painting (frame), but will always steer away from the topics of death and suicide because we’re human and the idea that everything is temporary is kind of a lot. Wynn Bruce set himself on fire outside the Supreme Court on Earth Day of this year to protest the urgency of climate action. Sure it made the news, but people weren’t casually talking about it like with the art. This person was so haunted by the climate crisis and the inaction that he left this world with one big mark.
CNN reports:
Kritee Kanko, a climate scientist and a Zen Buddhist priest who claims to know Bruce through the same meditation group, wrote on Twitter that while they are still gathering more information, the activist may had planned on the act for at least a year. CNN could not independently verify their relationship.
“This act is not suicide. This is a deeply fearless act of compassion to bring attention to climate crisis,” she posted on Twitter. “We are piecing together info but he had been planning it for at least one year. #wynnbruce I am so moved.”
How to create change (while keeping yourself safe)
Vote (if eligible) - shocker, but voicing your concerns (something those living in a democracy should be grateful they are able to do!) is such a
powerful tool, and without millions of Americans showing up to the polls, the IRA never would have been passed by our reps.
Spread the word - another simple one, but equally as effective. It’s as simple as opening up the discussion about the climate crisis to a friend, neighbor, family member, etc. And if they’re feeling equally as worried, direct them to me! :)
Sign petitions - you’d be surprised the effect they can have! You can even subscribe to receive recurring ones right in your inbox!
Boycott these places sponsored by fossil fuels (National Gallery in London, The Science Museum in London, etc.)
Donate (if you can) AFTER doing your research! When in doubt, just support a larger, trusted organization.
If you use the abillion app, reviewing vegan food will ‘earn money’ that you can donate to a select number of different funds/organizations!
Do your research before making assumptions. Risking arrest/death for no one to care may seem unimaginable to you, but maybe it’s worth learning their reason.
Additional reading:
Check out…
Vegan halloween candy giveaway (Vegan Showoff)
30 Ways Environmentalists Can Participate in Democracy (The Revelator)
Inside the industry push to label your yogurt cup ‘recyclable’ (Grist)
Good climate news
Wax worm saliva can break down plastic -
In a study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, researchers discovered that enzymes in the saliva of wax worms can readily degrade polyethylene, a common form of plastic used in bags and other packaging materials.
They can break down this plastic - at room temperature in a matter of hours!
New Zealand Outlines Plans to Tax Livestock Gas - This is something I’m excited about, as agruclture makes up about 24% of global emissions (EPA).
The scheme would see farmers pay for methane gas emissions from their cattle as well as the nitrous oxide in the urine of livestock.
The government hopes to sign off on the proposal by next year, and the tax could be introduced in three years' time.
Nothing moves quicjly in government, so something like this - if ever actually passed - almost seems too late. But luckily it’s not, and maybe other countries that care about climate (obvs not the US) will propose something like this, too!
Wrap-up
Hopefully this will allow you to go into this week inspired! P.S. is anyone else excited for Friday (at midnight)?? :)