Sierra Van Beekum - 2021

Artist's Statement

My project is a series of small PSA’s, specifically on climate disinformation and how to spot it. Of all that I’ve learned in this class, the most shocking to me was how media will blatantly deny climate change, and use subtle but underhanded means to do it. I was able to learn how to avoid this misinformation, but most people out there haven’t yet. I made these in Photoshop. I decided to use pictures of news articles on my phone because it felt a lot more real than if I were to use screenshots. I stuck with a simple color palette and design because I didn’t want it to distract from what I was trying to portray.

don't do this: Forbes article: "97% of climate scientists agree is 100% wrong." do this: NASA article: do scientists agree on climate change? Image text: People like to say that climate scientist don't agree that climate change is real - people are wrong. 97% of legitimate, published climate scientists agree that climate change is real, man-made, and a serious problem. They may disagree on some finer points, like what we can do to fix it, but they don't disagree on its existence or severity. Don't listen to people who say otherwise.

don't do this: fox news article: Physicist don't fall for the argument about 'settled science'. do this: futurism article: Here's what real climate scientists have to say about global warming. Scientists like to tout their degrees, and news channels that deny climate change like to use them. Just because someone is a scientist, it doesn't mean that they are a CLIMATE scientist. Just like you wouldn't trust a dentist to diagnose lung cancer, you shouldn't trust non-climate scientists on their opinions (not research ) about climate change.

don't do this: technology news article: There is nothing we can do to stop the oncoming effects of climate change says a new study. do this: contact senator mitt romney. Image text reads: climate change is a big, scary issue, and it can feel like there's nothing we can do to solve it. That feeling is valid, but just not true. Your government representatives are meant to represent you in their jobs, so use them! Tell them that you want the government to make the big changes we ned to combat climate change, and let them do their job.