From the very beginning of my Environmental Science degree I
realised how unapproachable science is to the general public; from the
technical and, frankly, boring language to the costly fees to gain access to
scientific papers in the first place. I knew I was entering a novel world.
In a piece of writing during the first year I
expressed my opinion that the relationship between science and art is a
symbiotic one. The fact that science was so seemingly unapproachable had me
asking many questions; is it intentional from the scientific community? How are
science and art not viewed as two sides of the same coin? For they are both,
fundamentally, about exploring ideas and are a teacher unto, not only
themselves, but also each other. I see in my surroundings the way art inspires
action; evoking emotion and passion in people that change the way
they view the world. With science providing the fact and art creating deep
rooted emotional investment, it baffled me that there was not a closer
relationship between the two.
A recent module in my degree, focused on science
communication, involved Environmental Science students collaborating with Graphic
design students. My ideas were coming to fruition. We developed a project
communicating the science behind two of the United Nations sustainable Development
Goals; Life on Land and Sustainable Cities/Communities. Our group decided to
focus on vertical forests; a concept that I found very interesting. Emphasis
was on a vertical forests ability to improve air quality in urban areas through
reducing air pollution, but also the physiological and mental benefit to the
surrounding inhabitants. Whilst researching for this project I was amazed at
the number of studies that showed the positive effect of urban green spaces
upon health and mental well-being; this along with an incredible ability,
through photosynthesis, to clean the surrounding urban air, my curiosity was
piqued.
I believe as a concept, vertical forests will become more
and more prominent in the urban environment as we become more educated about
how the way we live can negatively impact the very thing we rely on to survive:
the environment! In working with the graphic design students, I had the
opportunity to live out the ideas I was exploring last year and from my
perspective it is a step in the right direction; transcribing science knowledge
through art, elevating it in the population’s consciousness and inspiring
change - VIVE LA RÉVOLUTION!
- Ben
- Ben
