Exhibit to highlight the role of society in fighting increasing Earth temperature
Climate Change and Technology has 14 experiments and allows for public interaction / Photo: Jonathan Heckler
On Apr 6, the Science and Technology Museum (MCT) of PUCRS opened the exhibit Climate Change and Technology, developed in partnership with the Institute of Petroleum and Natural Resources (IPR) of PUCRS. The new exhibit will get the public to reflect upon and critically think about one of the most hotly discussed topics today: the global climate crisis. The initiative is funded by the Global CCS Institute and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, the world’s leading companies in implementing carbon capture and storage, a technology vital to fighting climate change.
More recently, climate and temperature discussions have reached fever pitch. Events such as the 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26) addressed the global commitment to discussing climate issues, establishing goals and celebrating agreements that mitigate risks and damage to life and the planet. According to IPR professor and researcher Rodrigo Sebastian Iglesias, who ensured the funding for the exhibit, the impacts on society are already being felt and will be even worse no action is taken.
Data from the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) show that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by more than 45% since the Industrial Revolution, at levels that were only seen more than 3 million years ago. Another finding, presented in the IPCC 2022 Report, shows that the world’s average temperature increased by 1.1°C from 1750 to 2010. According to this report, it will likely increase by another degree by the end of the century.
According to Iglesias, extreme weather events, such as heat waves, storms, floods, forest fires, will become more frequent. Earlier in March, for example, the professor highlighted the extraordinary heat waves with temperatures of 40°C in Antarctica and 30°C in the Arctic.
“Human influence on the warming of the atmosphere and oceans is increasingly evident. Therefore, it is essential that we understand the role of society in the Earth’s climate system, and the importance of carbon as a source of energy and the role of technologies in fighting this crisis”, the professor highlights.
Climate Change and Technology comprises 14 interactive experiments on climate change. The idea is to get visitors to participate and have an active role in their own learning.
The exhibit is also available in English and Brazilian Sign Language. Audio description resources for the blind, deaf and people with low literacy are provided. The following topics are discussed:
For Dr. Renata da Silva, Educational Coordinator of MCT-PUCRS, the museum is committed to informing its audience of the most relevant issues in science. “An interactive exhibit proves to be of great significance for our society as the maintenance of the quality of life of all species on our planet is a matter of extreme importance” , da Silva adds.
Construction was made from sustainable materials / Photo: Jonathan Heckler
The new MCT-PUCRS exhibit was produced with an eye to finding alternatives to minimize environmental impacts, using materials such as drywall, MDF, water-based paints and lighting with LED technology.
In addition, the partnership established with researchers from PUCRS’ Institute of Petroleum and Natural Resources resulted in a training program for the Museum’s staff – especially those who connect directly with visitors – on the subject of sustainability. This not only reinforced MCT-PUCRS’ role as a university museum, but also created possibilities to share ideas based on sustainable actions.
The exhibit is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on weekends from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased on the site.
