Global Warming

Mamaroneck, NY

Notes: All items were found in Mamaroneck with the exception of the two plastic flowers that were found at Oakland Beach in Rye, NY and the broken Dunkin Donuts® cup that was found in Larchmont, NY.

The polar bear (from a discarded toy), Extra® chewing gum package with the words “Polar Ice” and broken white pieces of garbage represent the arctic that is now threatened by global warming. The smiling sun represents the happiness sunshine brings as long as the global climate remains homeostatic so that ecosystems may flourish in all regions of the Earth. The yellow, discarded danger sign with the black flower represents the stark reality of global warming that presents a clear and growing danger for mass extinctions (death) in which humans may not be immune. The white flower near the chewing gum package symbolizes the encroachment of warm weather flora to the planet’s tundra region. The empty, dirty and broken ice cube tray reinforces the sobering and sad (hence the sad face!) image of an iceless and in a worst-case scenario, a lifeless planet.