RISE Up for Climate Change: October 1 – 4, 2020
It’s no surprise that climate change has become an increasing hot topic in recent years, with activists like Jane Fonda, Greta Thunberg and Al Gore continuing their fight for change. Even amidst the pandemic, we are still faced with fires, flooding and record-breaking temperatures, so it’s clear the issue demands our attention. If you’d like to learn more about how to be part of the change locally, and hopefully be part of the movement globally, you’re in luck because Delray Beach’s RISE Climate and Art Weekend is here to help.
“Our daily lives are being affected more and more by flooding, beach erosion, stronger and more frequent tropical storms, and other factors,” said Kent Edwards, sustainability officer for the City of Delray Beach. “Understanding climate change, I believe, will bring awareness and support for taking the actions necessary to prepare our community. It is important for the community to be aware of how their city is working to address climate change impacts and what they can do to address it.”
The RISE Climate and Art Weekend is designed to inform participants through art and presentations about climate change, and has gone mostly virtual this year. Event segments address climate change science, projects being undertaken by Delray Beach and other south Florida communities, and artworks and artist lectures that are influenced by climate change. Edwards believes that art invokes different responses in individuals, providing for a deeper understanding and strong connection to the content, which, he hopes, will help to increase awareness of climate change and the importance of sustainability and resilience.
New to the event this year is RISE Outdoor, a group exhibition showcasing artists whose work draws attention to the persistent changes in nature, and humanity’s inevitable connection to it. Brought to life by the Arts Warehouse, the unique exhibition will exist outdoors throughout the Delray Beach downtown area consisting of 10 freestanding prints by six artists. The goal is to bring art to safe spaces outdoors during COVID-19 restrictions, to activate new areas in the Delray Beach downtown/Delray Beach CRA District, and to ultimately speak on climate change and its personal and worldwide effects through the visual art.
Originally called “King Tides” at the inaugural event two years ago, the event has always been scheduled during early October, a time of year when “king tides” typically occur in South Florida when climate changes readily observed. King tides are some of the year’s highest tides, often leading to issues with flooding throughout our coastal community. With climate change and rising sea levels, Edwards said we can expect to experience similar flooding events more frequently.
Edwards hopes to continue to inform the community on scientific findings, but also emphasize how climate change affects the community on a personal level. The team will also continue to show participants the urgency of climate change and research findings via artworks and artistic presentations, and present actions that each of us can take.
“Climate change is a global phenomenon, and it cannot be solved by any one person or group. The City of Delray Beach and many other local, regional, state, federal, and private entities recognize what is happening to our planet and are actively working to address these impacts,” said Edwards, who believes that RISE is a great platform for presenting measures to address the impacts of climate change. “In partnership, we are working to reduce the consumption of resources and energy, in order to reduce the greenhouse gases that have caused climate change. We are also working to design and construct the man-made environment, so that impacts which cannot be avoided, will be better weathered by the community. I believe that if we are to be successful, this is the way forward.”
For more information about Delray Beach’s RISE Climate and Art Weekend, please visit http://www.resilientdelray.com/RISE/ or call (561) 243-7000. Registration is required for some events, whereas others are held live on Facebook.
RISE Outdoor Artwork Map
