CO2H2O
An installation abstracting data from UN Climate Reports
The Introduction
I began working on this project in October 2021 with the goal of visualizing sea level and carbon emission predictions using climate data from NASA and the United Nations.
The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in November 2021 in the UK, brought world leaders and UN scientists together to discuss the climate crisis. Key outcomes included commitments to keep global temperature rise under 1.5°C and to achieve net-zero emissions in future generations. These discussions heavily influenced my approach to this project.
The Installation
This installation interprets two key sets of climate data:
- Sea Level Predictions (2030–2100) – based on NASA’s climate observations.
- Greenhouse Gas Emission Pathways (2020–2100) – derived from the UN ClimateWatch platform.
By referencing the scientific formula CO₂ + H₂O, I utilized coding and visualization techniques to address three interrelated climate issues:
- Carbon Emissions: Elevated greenhouse gas levels increase Earth’s surface temperature, accelerating ice sheet melting and contributing to rising sea levels.
- Sea Level Rise: A direct consequence of global warming and ice melt, posing significant threats to coastal ecosystems and communities.
- Ocean Acidification: Approximately one-third of atmospheric CO₂ dissolves into ocean waters, forming carbonic acid and increasing acidification levels.
The chemical reactions depicted include:
- CO₂ + H₂O → H₂CO₃ (Carbonic Acid)
- H₂CO₃ + H₂O → HCO₃⁻ + H₃O⁺
- HCO₃⁻ + H₂O → CO₃²⁻ + H₃O⁺
- CO₂ + CO₃²⁻ + H₂O → 2HCO₃⁻
These reactions highlight the ongoing transformations within ocean chemistry and their potential impact on aquatic life.
The Materials
Newspaper, acrylic, thread, stickers, cardboard, duct tape, and data
I repurposed discarded newspapers and promotional flyers collected from the streets, folding them into small boxes and inflating them with my breath. This process symbolizes the interaction between carbon dioxide and water molecules (CO₂ + H₂O).
The installation’s hanging structure visually represents the climate data, with the height and density of the paper boxes corresponding to carbon emission volumes and sea level projections.
The Messages
The installation is divided into three layers:
- Top Layer: Represents the volume of carbon emissions, with each paper box symbolizing greenhouse gas molecules.
- Middle Layer: Illustrates the chemical reaction processes of CO₂ + H₂O, symbolizing ocean acidification.
- Bottom Layer: Depicts predicted sea level rise from 2030 to 2100, ranging from 5cm to 84cm based on a “business as usual” scenario.
Through this work, I share my perspective on climate issues, reminding myself to act responsibly while encouraging others to reduce their carbon footprints. Together, we can work toward a more sustainable future.