This painting by scientist and artist Jill Pelto incorporates graphs of CO2 emissions, renewable energy consumption, sea level rise, temperature, and land ice.
The painting was created for the cover of the July 2020 Climate issue of TIME magazine.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Students may see how graphs can have more than one use.
Pelto showcases alternative ways of using data to make a point that is instantly relatable to a broad spectrum of people that may not relate to standard graphed data results.
Additional Prerequisites
Students need to understand how to read a graph.
The resource includes links to the datasets used for each graph.
Differentiation
Art classes can use this as an example of line, composition blocking, and graphic labeling/symbolism.
Students can discuss how artwork can be used to inform the public on important issues such as climate change.
As a cross-curricular connection, math classes can use this to show the relevance of mathematical concepts in both scientific and artistic disciplines.
Scientist Notes
The resource presents scientific evidence for students to explore the trend of CO2 and note the changes caused by human activities. Data source is valid and the resource is recommended.
Standards
Science
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
4.ESS3.1 Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and that their uses affect the environment.
8.ESS3.4 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.
HS.ESS3.6 Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity (i.e., climate change).
Arts
Visual Arts: Standard 5 - Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
VA.5.PR2.8 2. Summarize and analyze why and how an exhibition or artworks may influence ideas, beliefs, and experiences.
Visual Arts: Standard 7 - Perceive and analyze artistic work.
VA.7.RE1.4 3. Using art vocabulary, analyze the components in visual imagery used that convey a message.
