Future of Power Art Show for COP28 Resilience Hub

The Future of Power Art Show at COP28
BY SELVA OZELLI, JD, LAW 

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place at Expo City Dubai, UAE, from November 30th to December 12th, 2023.

Designed to bring the international community together and drive action, finance, and solutions, the two-week conference program will focus on fast-tracking a green future. Among the issues discussed at COP28 are a just and equitable energy transition, fixing climate finance, putting nature, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of climate action, and mobilizing for inclusion.

The Resilience Hub, a virtual and physical space accelerating action towards resilient communities and ecosystems, will be present at COP28. The Hub is motivated by the urgent need to increase the level of ambition and finance given to building resilience, particularly for the world’s most vulnerable populations, and placing locally informed, equitable solutions center stage in the run-up to and during COP.

It will connect and inspire people across business, civil society, academia, and government to collaborate and scale up action that makes communities around the world safer, healthier, and more just.

The COP28 Resilience Hub will feature an art show titled “Future of Power,” prepared by award-winning environmental artists whose work has been cataloged by the UN. 

This art show will articulate the Resilience Hub’s vision of resilience underpinning sustainable development in an inclusive world in harmony with nature that is better prepared to cope with shocks, adapt to change, and transform – all within planetary boundaries.

Mehmet Kuran artwork
Artist Mehmet Kuran with his work points out that

“we have to understand one thing now. We are not the owners of this world. We are guests. We are no different than an antelope or a lizard. As guests, we must respect this magnificent planet. We must live elegantly. By trying to be beneficial to our environment. By sharing. It is certain that beautiful days lie ahead. Change has begun.”

Gunsu Saracoglu artwork
Artist Gunsu Saracoglu, with her work, reminds us that

“Climate change is having a significant impact on wildfires around the world in the absence of adherence to the Paris Agreement. The total wildfire emissions for 2023 is estimated to be almost 410 megatonnes. Boreal forests in regions all over the world have been experiencing the worst wildfires in recorded history in 2023, according to new research.”

In the first-ever Global Stocktake response, the urgency of the climate change situation faced will be presented, and the COP28 Presidency will seek accountability from the heads of state and world leaders on the way forward.

Fatma Kadir artwork
Climate change is already impacting human health across the planet, from the quality of the air we breathe to the water we drink and the places that provide us with shelter. Unfortunately, Children and youth face disproportionate risks and impacts from this as the generation who will inherit a planet with tougher conditions in which to live without being responsible for contributing to the problem.

Artist Fatma Kadir, with her work, draws attention to young climate change advocates who

“instead of playing with toys and balloons are at very early ages becoming plaintiffs in climate litigation around the globe–including Juliana v. United States, Held v. Montana, Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and 32 Other States –as they advocate for their human right to a clean and healthful environment as granted by their constitutions. Youth climate litigation is becoming an integral part of securing climate action and justice. The total number of climate change court cases worldwide has more than doubled since 2017, according to the report prepared by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.”

For the first time, COP28 will explore ways to provide relief to those affected.

With increased climate change-related natural calamities, increased disease, and litigation by a new generation, it is clear that the world needs to decarbonize rapidly while continuing to progress economically. The energy needed for day-to-day life, supporting new technologies, must remain affordable but cleaner.

Artist Selva Ozelli --who is also the author of Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally -, draws attention to the fact that

“the ocean generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90 percent of the excess heat generated by these emissions. We need to protect and manage our Oceans, Wetlands biodiversity hotspots, and natural carbon sinks.”

COP28 Presidency, High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (HLP), UN High-level Climate Champions, and Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action will cast a spotlight on the Ocean and put forth country commitments towards the 100% Sustainable Ocean Management goal and showcase tangible actions supporting the implementation of the Ocean Breakthrough.

Ilhan Sayin artwork
Our world's climate and its biodiversity are inextricably interconnected. Climate change creates severe pressure and risks for the food, agricultural, and water systems that ensure human well-being.

Artist Ilhan Sayin, with his work, draws attention to

“the landmark win for nature, a 30 x 30 biodiversity goal was adopted by world leaders at the CBD COP15 – to protect at least 30 percent of the planet's land and water by 2030.”

COP28 will focus on delivering climate and nature co-benefits through various financing mechanisms and packages to accelerate private sector commitments to nature-positive accountability frameworks.