Climate Change: LASG moves to explore artistic painting to tackle challenges
By Moses Adeniyi
As part of efforts to tackle challenges associated with climate change by creating awareness among residents, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has disclosed further move to foster environmental preservation culture by emploring the use of artistic creations.
The State Government, to build sensitisation around the idea of sustainability of the environment, said it has decided to promote climate change awareness and action through artistic expression.
For implementation, the State Government has launched a project “the Art for Climate Change” to kickstart a series of events including a co-creation innovation hub, live marathon painting events, dialogue series, and exhibitions, aimed at fostering conversations around the phenomenon of environmental preservation.
According to the Government, the project is centred around citizenship development in addressing global challenges and shaping policies via creative nature of art.
For the project, the Lagos State Government is partnering with the Creative Youth Community Development Initiative – Solution17 for Climate Action, and New York University, Abu Dhabi, to promote climate change awareness and action using artistic expression.
“Art for Climate Change is a follow-up to the MOU signed between New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi and COP28 UAE, which aims to enhance the role of higher education institutions in knowledge-sharing, climate action, and youth engagement, in the lead-up to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is expected to increase the contribution of youths towards an inclusive and solutions-oriented climate conference,” the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Gaji Omobolaji said at a briefing on Thursday at Ikeja the State Capital to herald the launch of the Art for Climate Project.
Gaji disclosed that concerning the project, artists from Lagos will collaborate with Tech Innovators, Experts in relevant fields, students from NYU Abu Dhabi and the Universities Climate Network UAE, to co-create innovative solutions to problems around key thematic areas relevant to COP28, which will be depicted in ART.
“Lagos State Government and Solution 17 are proud to launch the Art for Climate Change project and kickstart a series of events including a co-creation innovation hub, live marathon painting events, dialogue series, and exhibitions,” he said.
According to him, events will hold periodically till the commencement of the COP28 conference in November 2023.
“It is our collective hope that this initiative will foster conversations about the role of art, culture, and citizenship development in addressing global challenges and shaping policies,” he said.
“The Art for Climate Change project will be building on a previous partnership of the Lagos State Government with The Vision of the Child (VoTC), through which the renowned Noble Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, mentored thousands of young artists, and poets between the ages 8 and 12 from 2012 to 2019. Notably four (4) of the award-winning VoTC artists will depict the tech-driven climate action solutions on 17 canvases in Lagos and NYU Abu Dhabi to promote COP28.
“These canvases and the projects they depict will be communicated in powerful storytelling via documentary, film production, music, and exhibition to create awareness and contribute to policy shaping and decision-making during COP28 and beyond,” he said of the event.
COP28 UAE will be held at the Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The conference is expected to bring together a diverse range of participants, including government officials, industry leaders, academics, experts, and youth, to assess the world’s collective progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
According to the CEO and Project Director, Solution17, Foluke Michael, the long span activity timelines between August 2023 and Dec/Jan 2024 would include Pre-Artnovation 1 & 2 – where Artists will meet Technologists for ideation and brainstorming in Lagos; Live painting marathon/Physical Spaces – Lagos; Private Exhibition – Lagos; Special Viewing, Lagos.
Also according to her, would be Dialogue Series NYU Abu Dhabi and Live painting marathon, Abu Dhabi; Dialogue Series in Nigeria in Partnership with United Nations/Lagos State University, Lagos; Climate Art Exhibition at the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Expo City – Physical and Virtual (Virtual Reality) – Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Post COP28 Exhibition Dec/Jan 2024, Lagos.
Foluke Michael said the project looks towards providing solutions towards a climate smart agriculture, circular blue economy, and the centre piece of the role of citizens’ commitment to the culture of preserving the environment.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Investments, Lagos, Mrs. Abosede George said SDGs speak not only to people but also capture significantly the climate around them.
“It is time for everyone of us to make our environment sustainable for better living,” she said.
