REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE, AND CREATE!!!GREEN ART

WH

Y S

HO

ULD

WE G

O G

REEN

????

Alarming Facts:The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reviewed relevant published studies of biological systems and concluded that 20 percent to 30 percent of species assessed may be at risk of extinction from climate change impacts within this century if global mean temperatures exceed 2-3 °C (3.6-5.4 °F) relative to pre-industrial levels. (IPCC, 2007) 

By 2100 ecosystems will be exposed to atmospheric CO2 levels substantially higher than in the past 650,000 years, and global temperatures at least among the highest as those experienced in the past 740,000 years. This will alter the structure, reduce biodiversity and perturb functioning of most ecosystems, and compromise the services they currently provide. (epa.gov /climate change/effects/eco.html#ref, 2009)

If the human race were to cease to exist, it would still take about 100,000 years for CO2 levels to return to pre-human levels.

Why Go Green????

HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=SE12Y9HSOM0Click to watch a short clip about water bottles and how much waste is produced from them.

TH

E G

REEN

ART

CLA

SSR

OO

M

Start Out Early and Educate!This can mean two things, both of which are important. Early in the school year (and early in age), make it a point to talk about environmental issues that are going on that relate back to students' lives in the classroomMake Recycling Easy!Clearly mark bins and have plenty of them!

Use Recycled Materials!There is a never ending list of recycled materials that can be used in the classroom. Cardboard, computer parts, wood scraps, paper towel rolls, milk cartons, bottles, and paper scraps are just a few of the many materials that art teachers are able to use for classroom projects.

Show Off!Make a big deal about your students' artwork. If a student's project teaches about recycling, every person who views the piece can be influenced by the message of the artwork.

CREATIVE GREEN ART!

SEA

GU

LL B

OT

TLE C

AP

MU

RA

L

Three thousand nine hundred ninety four bottle caps and wine corks were used in order to add color to this mural which is on display in our school library.

ORNAMENTS MADE FROM PLASTIC BOTTLES, BOTTLE CAPS AND STRAWS.

PLASTIC BOTTLE FLOWERS

CHESAPEAKE BAY MIXED MEDIA ANIMALS.

SK

ATIN

G O

N T

HIN

ICE.

Styrofoam landscape with wire figure skaters.

GR

EEN

IS T

HE W

AY

TO

GO

!!!

Why Go Green????

“Art can be used as a tool to provoke thought or bring attention to any number of causes.  Bringing environmental awareness to multiple disciplines within the art realm can have far reaching effects. ”

“ Students should be taught, from a young age, the importance of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and what they, as artists, can do in order to influence others.  Next, design should be incorporated into classroom curriculum.  It has been argued that designers will play a substantial role in helping to create a sustainable society.  Additionally, students absolutely need to know that each of them has the power to influence innumerable other people through the power of their own artwork.  Too often, especially in early grade levels, children produce artwork that is made specifically because it is nice to look at.  Students must realize that art is more than creating an aesthetically pleasing picture.  If one grade level of students create artwork that makes a personal statement about environmental responsibility, it has the ability to influence hundreds of other people.  If the student who creates that artwork is able to explain why he or she made the artwork and why it is important to him or her, the work becomes an influence to all who view it.”

PAPER MACHE’ FLOWERS IN A RECYCLED 2-LITER PLASTIC BOTTLE.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

http://www.greenartroom.com/links.html