In our exploration as a group, we recognized that the language and form of a document are powerful tools for driving action in the realm of climate justice. Tailoring the document’s language and visual elements to specific audiences, such as policymakers, activists, or the public, enhances its impact and potential for effecting change. Our approach centered on an interrogative position, employing translation and iteration methods to foster transparency within the document’s language and broader context.
To make passive language visually active, we engaged in different methods to transform the document’s tone, infusing it with a sense of urgency and motivation. This visual activation aimed to engage readers actively and to confront the critical issue of accountability in climate justice.
The interrogation approach was instrumental in unraveling hidden complexities and challenging the passivity surrounding climate justice. By looking at the document from different perspectives and emphasising accountability gaps, our explorations attempted to create a contrast between the content of the document and the action plans towards climate justice. These explorations compelled me to consider the power of design over the content and the transformative potential it holds in advocating for climate justice.
Exercises in Style
After going through and cataloging the contents of the document, we used Queneau’s method to dissect its language. This analytical approach allowed us to discern nuances and unearth hidden meanings within the document. Recognizing the urgency in the context of climate change, we systematically transformed the language, aligning it with the pressing nature of the issues at hand.
Our methodological journey extended beyond mere linguistic analysis. We transitioned the document from a conventional agreement to a proactive project proposal. This transformation aimed to shift the document’s narrative from passive acceptance to an active call for tangible initiatives. By examining the document through diverse perspectives, including those directly impacted, we uncovered the subtle nuances that often go unnoticed.
This method not only underscored the document’s language deficiencies but also shed light on the structural aspects, revealing a pervasive lack of accountability concerning climate change. Simultaneously, it brought forth urgent priorities that demanded immediate attention. The exploration through Queneau’s method prompted a profound reflection on the need for transparency and transformative action.
The Medium is the Massage
While we retained the original medium of the document, our exploration focused on creating diverse variations to enhance accessibility and reduce intimidation. Drawing inspiration from McLuhan’s insights on mediums and their functions, we questioned how alterations in size, print, and format could transform the document’s perception and utility. By contemplating the distinct purposes of contracts and posters, we aimed to tailor the document’s form to serve its function more effectively.
In playing with size and print variations, our objective was to make the document more approachable and user-friendly. By breaking away from a one-size-fits-all approach, we sought to cater to diverse audiences and communication preferences. The exploration considered the inherent characteristics of different mediums, pondering how adjusting the form could better align with the intended purpose of the document.
While we did not transition to an entirely different medium, the process highlighted the malleability of the document’s form to influence its accessibility. The examination of size, print, and format variations was integral in challenging the conventional notions surrounding document design. It emphasized the role of design in shaping user experience and ensuring that the document serves its function effectively within the context of climate justice.
The Two Sides of the Paris Climate Agreement: Dismal Failure or Historic Breakthrough?
The essence of the agreement lies in the commitment of each participating party to furnish Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), subject to evaluation every five years. This periodic assessment is designed to facilitate open communication and ensure a responsive adjustment of action plans necessary for achieving the overarching goals of the Paris Agreement. While this mechanism establishes open channels for communication and promotes public awareness, a critical deficiency emerges – the agreement falls short in adequately emphasizing the urgency and accountability imperative in addressing the current climate crisis.
The document’s structure encourages transparency and collaboration, fostering an environment conducive to shared information and collective action. However, it is apparent that the urgency of the situation and the imperative for accountability are not accentuated to the degree necessary. The article
UN Emissions Gap Report
Our exploration gravitated around the foundational principles of the Paris Agreement, which derives its objectives from the projections outlined in the Emissions Gap Report—an invaluable compilation of global climate data. In dissecting this data, we meticulously compared the information presented in the document with the insights offered by the Global Emissions Report. Additionally, our approach involved a commitment to regularly updating the document through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) updates from nations, thereby establishing a dynamic relationship between the evolving data and actionable plans.
By utilizing the same dataset, we conducted a juxtaposition with the Paris Agreement, revealing a stark disparity between the passive language employed and the profound consequences that both current and future generations are enduring. This critical analysis brought to light the urgent need to address the inadequacies in the language and the resultant devastating repercussions. The exploration underscored the document’s role not merely as a static record but as a living instrument that demands continual adaptation in response to the evolving global climate crisis.
Title of the Show
Taking inspiration from Julia Born’s exhibition, our explorations delved into the transformative potential of altering the container within which the document resides. This involved a dynamic examination of how changes in the presentation format influence both the content and audience engagement. We scrutinized whether the shift in container could inspire varied actions and provoke a transformation in language from passive to active.
This exploration aimed to gauge how the alteration of the container could impact the document’s resonance with the audience and elicit distinct responses.
The dynamic interaction with varying sizes and formats of the document facilitated a nuanced understanding of the symbiotic relationship between form and content. The inquiry into whether such transformations could catalyze a shift in language from passive to active underscored the potential of design to influence not only perception but also the behavioral response of the audience. We were able to make the document less intimidating and create more engaging responses when a reader interacts with it.
Climate Calendar
Our explorations pivoted significantly around a critical constant embedded in the Paris Agreement: time. With the Climate Clock marking 2029 as the pivotal year determining our trajectory in the face of global warming, the urgency of our collective action became starkly evident. The limited time frame compels us to urgently restrict warming to 1.5°C, a crucial endeavor to avert the looming existential threat to our collective future.
This project reference, the climate calendar, serves as a tangible manifestation of the mounting climate anxiety and frustration particularly experienced by the younger generation.
Delving into the data associated with the agreement, our analysis brought forth a collective position for activism. It became evident that our role as activists was not merely to adhere to the terms of the agreement but to actively propel climate change negotiations forward. The urgency imposed by the imminent deadline highlighted the imperative for swift and decisive action.
References
Queneau, R. (1981). Exercises in Style. New Directions Publishing.
McLuhan, M. and Fiore, Q. (2001). The Medium is the Massage. Gingko Press Editions.
UNEP (2023). Broken Record. Emissions Gap Report 2023. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/43922.
Clémençon, R. (2016). The Two Sides of the Paris Climate Agreement: Dismal Failure or Historic Breakthrough? The Journal of Environment & Development, [online] 25(1), pp.3–24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496516631362.
Born, J. (2009). Title of the Show.
Liam Prendergast (2024). Climate Calendar. [online] Behance. Available at: https://www.behance.net/gallery/188782743/Climate-Calendar?tracking_source=search_projects [Accessed 23 Feb. 2024].
