Green Patriotism Bus Ads Prompts Americans to Address Climate Change
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain on 07.31.08
Canaries were once used to warn miners of deadly methane levels. The Canary Project is about exactly that: warning us of severe changes to come. Using visual media and art works, the Canary Project spreads public understanding of climate change and supports those who commit to find solutions.
One of their latest projects is the Green Patriot Bus Ads, designed by world-famous, Cleveland-born artist Michael Bierut. This month, more than 60 buses were released into the streets of Cleveland to encourage what they call “Green Patriotism”. The latter can be describes as a new form of environmentalism, where “one sees action to address climate change as an imperative to protect both the American and world economies. This is an environmentalism of strength and unity.”
On the outside, the buses promote public transport as a sustainable form of travelling, while Bierut’s designs in the interiors are promoting the development of green jobs in the manufacturing sector.
The bus ads, touring the streets for one month, are only the beginning of a larger campaign by the Canary Project, called Green Patriot Posters, due to officially launch in September. The poster collection is inspired by the strong graphics of World War II, when posters were used to motivate citizens to act for the greater good. “Conservation (in the form of rationing) became a patriotic act. Taking action was presented in these posters as vital for the common good of the nation and those who were willing to sacrifice were portrayed as attractive, dynamic American heroes. To face the ecological crisis posed by global climate change today a similar mobilization of America is required.”, the Canary Project explains.
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Thanks Ed for the tip! ::Canary Project ::Green Patriot Posters
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Is that a hybrid bus or is it pumping out diesel fumes? Kind of conflicts with the message if it isn't clean.
Yes many of Cleveland's RTA buses are "Clean Air Buses." In fact, Cleveland is a real success story when it comes to "Clean Air Buses" and reducing pollution.
See http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=82407
But even if those aren't clean air are an improvement on having individual drivers. So riding Mass Transit is in itself is act of heroism in the fight against climate change and achieving energy independence.
For example, according to the American Public Transportation Association: "The “leverage effect” of public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually – equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combines would have to completely stop using electricity."