Climate Change: The Threat to Life and a New Energy Future (Exhibition)

Dates

• Existence: 2008 October 18 - 2009 August 16

Summary

Abstract:

Exhibition. Opened in October 18, 2008 and closed August 16, 2009. Located in Section 3, Floor 3 in Gallery 3 at the American Museum of Natural History. "Climate Change: The Threat to Life and A New Energy Future," was an exhibit addressing one of the most complex and urgent scientific and social issues of the 21st century: global climate change.

Historical Note

"Climate Change: The Threat to Life and A New Energy Future," was an exhibit addressing one of the most complex and urgent scientific and social issues of the 21st century: global climate change. The exhibition explained the science of climate change and explored the implications of unchecked climate change for future generations. Visitors were able to see how individual, collective, communal, and governmental actions in using energy more efficiently, in combination with pursing promising new energy alternatives, can make an impact in reducing global warming. Through interactive stations and videos as well as dioramas, the exhibition presented evidence that human activity over the past three hundred years has dramatically altered the natural world. The exhibit explained how global warming could stress human societies and damage ecosystems by causing sea levels to rise, increasing the incidence of drought and intense storms, drastically raising temperatures over areas of land and ocean surfaces. The exhibition focused on solutions and illustrated what is needed to move away from dependence of fossil fuels toward a more energy-efficient economy. The curator for the exhibit was Edmond A. Mathez, Curator, Earth and Planetary Sciences in the Museum's Division of Physical Sciences. The co-curator of the exhibit was Michael Oppenheimer, Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School and Department of Geosciences, Princeton University. The exhibit was organized by the Museum in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, United Arab Emirates; The Cleveland Museum of Natural History; The Field Museum, Chicago; Instituto Sangari, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Junta de Castilla y Leon, Spain; Korea Green Foundation, Seoul; Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen; Papalote Museo del Nino, Mexico City, Mexico; and Saint Louis Science Center. The exhibit was supported by Bank of America, The Rockefeller Foundation, Mary and David Solomon, the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation, the Linden Trust for Conservation, and the Red Crane Foundation. The exhibit was on view in Gallery 3 of the American Museum of Natural History from October 18, 2008 through August 16, 2009 after which it began an international tour.

Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, United Arab Emirates; The Cleveland Museum of Natural History; The Field Museum, Chicago; Instituto Sangari, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Junta de Castilla y Leon, Spain; Korea Green Foundation, Seoul; Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen; Papalote Museo del Nino, Mexico City; Saint Louis Science Center; Edmond A. Mathez; Michael Oppenheimer.

Sources

American Museum of Natural History Press Release, October 2008. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

Press Release: Advance Schedule of Exhibitions and Programs, September 2008. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

Topics

• AMNH Temporary Exhibitions

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: