Whilst collaborating with Track Zero, the children and the climate scientists for this project I couldn’t stop thinking about the data in relation to the aspects of the environment that I am drawn to within my work. This image is made from multiple with the data overlaid – we have created this link – this relationship and it isn’t a healthy one.
The graph line, in white, shows carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in parts per million measured at Baring Head, near Wellington. This station has been running since 1972 and is home to the longest running continuous CO2 measurements in the Southern Hemisphere.
1972 – 328 ppm
27th October 2011 the reading was 389.2 27th October 2020 the reading was 411.4 27th October 2021 the reading was 413.1
For comparison, the pre-industrial level of CO2 in the atmosphere was 280 ppm. The Paris Agreement, signed by 197 countries, is aiming to keep global average temperature to well below 2°C above
pre-industrial values. Scientists estimate that there is a 50% chance of attaining this if CO2-equivalent emissions stabilise next century at 450 ppm. However, CO2-equivalent emissions are different to CO2 levels as they also take into account other greenhouse gases such as methane.
Data and information source NIWA.co.nz
Generation Zero is a nonpartisan, youth-led climate organisation that champions solutions towards a thriving, carbon-neutral Aotearoa – for local projects you can get involved with go to www.generationzero.org