
San Francisco, USA – On December 11 2024, an immersive gathering took place at Swissnex in San Francisco, uniting minds from climate science, art, and science communication to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: the role of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in climate change. This special preview event, titled Earth Out of Balance, celebrated the upcoming Keep it CO₂OL exhibition, winner of the prestigious 2023 Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Agora Award.
An Immersive Exploration of Climate Change
The event offered attendees a first glimpse into the Keep it CO₂OL exhibition, set to launch in April 2025. This exhibition sheds light on the role of CO₂ in climate change, examining its sources, impacts, and the innovative strategies being developed to mitigate its effects. Equally significant was the event’s focus on the role of museums in raising awareness, fostering critical thinking, and inspiring meaningful action.
Program Highlights
The day began with a meditation, “Earth Out of Balance,” guided by Joseph Gabriel Ilustrisimo, inviting some inner balance before engaging with a thought-provoking program. The opening remarks by Pascale Speck, Programs Associate at Swissnex in San Francisco, officially addressed the event topic and set the tone for the presentations from an esteemed lineup of experts:
- Prof. Dr. Timothy Eglington (ETH Zurich, Earth and Planetary Sciences) offered insights into the science of CO₂ and its global impact.
- Katrin Sievert (ETH Zurich and Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, CDR Researcher) discussed advancements and challenges in carbon capture technologies.
- Dr. Ulrike Kastrup (Museum Director, focusTerra ETH Zurich) highlighted the transformative potential of museums as hubs for education and collaboration.
A panel discussion followed, moderated by Erica Barrueto (VP of Learning at the Tech Interactive Museum) during which these experts including Kerstin Bircher (science communication expert and museum pedagogue at focusTerra ETH Zurich) shared their perspectives on reducing emissions.
Prof. Dr. Timothy Eglington contextualized the current CO2 development in our atmosphere: “CO2 is increasing at levels that we have not seen in a few million years. The pace of increase is unprecedented and unless we curtail these emissions and mitigate them through carbon sequestration practices, we will be attaining these much warmer conditions we would have to be dealing with.”
Katrin Sievert confirmed that the rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a must: “A swift transition to clean, low-carbon energy sources needs to happen now. For this, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions – both nature-based and technological – are essential. These solutions capture CO2 from the atmosphere and store it permanently, helping to offset emissions that cannot be fully eliminated and addressing pollution from the past.”
Building on the elaborated climate challenges and technological solutions to counter them, Dr. Ulrike Kastrup highlighted how focusTerra as a museum spurs positive action: “People hear about CO2 everywhere but they often do not understand how CO2 functions in our lives, what the exact challenges are and what solutions actually exist to combat climate change. There is increasing climate anxiety that we witness, so we at focusTerra want to empower our audience through clear, digestible science communication that sparks hope.”
Kerstin Bircher further emphasized the importance of community building to foster collaborative efforts: “Engaging with our visitors, I try to convey the message that every action counts. It’s really important to keep doing CO2 reducing actions even though their effect might seem small at first glance. We will be heading towards challenging times, but when we all join in and support each other, we can become more resilient together.”
Networking and Community Building
The event concluded with a brunch, providing a relaxed atmosphere for attendees to network, exchange ideas, and further explore the themes of the day. This segment emphasized the importance of building a community dedicated to driving sustainable solutions.
Key Takeaways
- CO₂ in Focus: The event emphasized the urgent need to understand and address CO₂’s role in climate change, both scientifically and through innovative technologies.
- Museums as Catalysts: Museums like focusTerra and the Tech Interactive are vital platforms for bridging the gap between researchers, professionals, and the public, inspiring collective action.
- Collaboration is Key: Engaging diverse fields—from science to art—enhances our ability to tackle climate challenges effectively.
Earth Out of Balance served as a powerful prelude to the Keep it CO₂OL exhibition, leaving attendees inspired and better equipped to contribute to a sustainable future. Pascale Speck, Programs Associate at Swissnex in San Francisco and curator of the event was pleased with how the discussions unfolded: “This unique event underscored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and community-driven efforts in combating climate change.”
If you’re interested in viewing the Keep it CO₂OL exhibition and engaging further with these topics in the future, sign up for our newsletter to receive information about similar programs.
Written by Pascale Speck, Programs Associate at Swissnex in San Francisco. Pascale is responsible for organizing and executing programs that connect Swissnex’s various stakeholders in art, science, education, and innovation across Switzerland and the US.
Edited by Sophie Bohnen, Head of Communications at Swissnex in San Francisco
Impressions
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Photo by: Patrick Perkins -
Photo by: Patrick Perkins -
Photo by: Patrick Perkins -
Photo by: Patrick Perkins -
Photo by: Patrick Perkins -
Photo by: Patrick Perkins
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Earth Out of Balance – Replay