Art and Climate Change is a new topic for my art making. This piece is titled “Plastic Menagerie,” and I created this piece of art to influence people. I hope that this 3D relief inspires someone to take a step that helps our ecosystems. Plastic Menagerie is a depiction of a variety of plastics mixed with underwater life. Six pack soda yokes flow from the colorful, swirling plant life. Plastic from food receptacles has been cut and placed over the surface of the 2D air bubbles. PFAS foam has attached itself to the fish and plants. PFAS also floats about in the water. The two plastic water bottles in this 3D relief are filled with sludge and life: both are spilling into the waters beyond. Despite the dangers of these plastics to all forms of life in these waters and to our climate, Plastic Menagerie is teeming with life and steeped in a yearning for a safer environment. Danger looms, but the message is, “It’s not too late.” This piece is created with the hopes that the viewer will be moved to consider personal steps towards slowing climate change. It is a challenge to imagine the power of reusable options that reduce our carbon footprint. I took a simple step. It's the step that inspired me to create Plastic Menagerie. I tossed my plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottles are among the most common beach debris and are also a highly popular category of beverage. When we make, use, and throw away plastic, we make large amounts of greenhouse gasses. Reduce plastic pollution. Fill non-disposable glass water bottles with filtered water from our taps. Stop buying and using plastic water bottles. I hope Plastic Menagerie will motivate you towards one simple action to help save our waters and make a difference in our carbon footprint. This piece of art has a message: we can be a change for climate change. Art can make a difference for us and others on our journey. It can inspire us towards personal change that can change the world. Art and climate change are partners for a better world. Click here to read a book about the creative journey. Click here to learn more about the artist’s journey.