Environment

A Space to Confront Climate Change Documentary Exhibit in San Francisco

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2018

The Coal + Ice exhibit in San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture features the work of over 40 photographers from around the world. Photo by Sarah Carpenter.

Coal + Ice is making its US debut in San Francisco, filling the 50,000-square-foot Festival Pavilion at the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture with a climate-themed immersive documentary photography and video exhibition.

The pavilion is vast and dark, illuminated by larger-than-life photographs on screen walls segmenting the open space. The photographs themselves create the pathways for visitors to experience the exhibit.

Some photo collections are constructed with four screen walls, one photo per wall, creating an immersive experience.

The work of Nichole Sobecki, a Kenya-based photographer, is set up this way. Sobecki has spent the past seven years in Somalia, which she said is the “dictionary definition of a failed state.” She said that the environment is an important and often forgotten factor of the conflict Somalia has been going through for the last 25 years.

Her photos show devastated landscapes and resilient people, and the exhibit displays them on every side of the visitor.

“When you’re trying to document climate change, it’s really a challenge to get people to engage,” Sobecki said. “There’s a sense that there’s nothing we can do about it, and then people just shut off.”

She and writer Laura Heaton worked together for two years exploring the links between conflict and the environment in Somalia, one of the areas hardest hit by climate change, and trying to bring to life the immediacy of this issue. “It’s something that has to be addressed now, not tomorrow,” she said.

Photographer Matt Black continues to photograph the impacts of drought in central California, where he’s from and currently lives. He said it’s a part of California that doesn’t get enough attention or services, and is sometimes called the ‘other California.’ “It’s a privilege to do this work,” he said.

At the exhibit’s far end, two massive screens depicting the abstract work of Clifford Ross, who programmed moving pixels to mimic waves of water, leave the visitor in awe of water, and of nature. The art work evokes the raw power of natural elements, and while it is stunningly beautiful, it is somewhat ominous within this exhibit.

The exhibit, co-curated by Magnum photographer Susan Meiselas, and renowned exhibition designer Jeroen de Vries, is scheduled to coincide with Gov. Jerry Brown’s Global Climate Action Summit as a cultural accompaniment.

Other events include “YouthSpeaks: An Evening of Spoken Word and Entertainment” on Sept. 21; and “The Fire Tapes: A Special Storytelling Event from Snap Judgement and KQED” on Sept. 22.

Admission to the exhibit is free. Some events are free and may require registration. For information visit CoalAndIce.org.

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Related Topics:Climate Change Coal & Ice San Francisco

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California Black Media

Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation. During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

Gov. Newsom visits the White House on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Gov.Ca. Gov

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation.

During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

“California is continuing our work to secure additional tools and resources to improve access to health care, clean air and water, and secure critical funding to support communities recovering from disasters,” said Newsom.

At the White House, Newsom met with President Joe Biden and key officials, advocating for disaster relief funding, healthcare expansion, and environmental protection. He also engaged in discussions with senior Biden-Harris officials, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to address water quality improvements and the San Luis Dam project, which will support water supplies for two million Californians.

“Building on our strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, California is working closely with the White House over the next two months to deliver the critical protections and resources our communities need,” Newsom said.

On Capitol Hill, Newsom met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with other Congressional leaders, to emphasize the need to approve pending disaster funding, healthcare programs, and environmental protections. He also previewed California’s upcoming special session to proactively address potential federal challenges when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.

Newsom’s discussions also focused on securing Medicaid waivers from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance behavioral health services and reduce homelessness. The state seeks approval for the BH-CONNECT waiver, which would address behavioral health and homelessness, and the MCO Tax Waiver, which would provide over $20 billion for Medi-Cal to improve healthcare access.

Additionally, California is pushing for Clean Air Act waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are crucial for enforcing air quality regulations. These measures are projected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over the next three decades, according to the Governor’s office.

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

1 month ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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Business

Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Tackle Rising Electric Bills

Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help alleviate the financial burden of skyrocketing electric bills on residents. This directive instructs the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Energy Commission to identify strategies to lower electricity costs and prevent rapid increases in the future.

Published

1 month ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Among the key actions proposed, the governor emphasized a closer examination of utility expenditures related to wildfire mitigation, which accounts for about 13% of residential electric bills.

Newsom underscored the state’s commitment to balancing affordability with environmental goals.

“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” said Newsom. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.”

California now has the second-highest electric rates in the country, trailing only Hawaii, with residential bills having surged as much as 110% over the past decade. The largest utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have seen rate hikes of 20% to 50% in just the last three years, approved by the state’s regulatory bodies.

The executive order also directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to explore increasing the California Climate Credit, which provides some relief on energy costs for residents. Additionally, the PUC is urged to pursue federal funding opportunities to further reduce electric expenses.

While consumer advocates welcomed the governor’s focus on lowering costs, concerns were raised regarding potential cuts to essential clean energy programs. CALPIRG, a consumer group, pointed out that the real issue behind high utility bills is wasteful spending by utilities and urged greater accountability.