KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA. 7th September 2022 – Greenpeace Malaysia has collaborated with Malaysian art duo co2_karbondioksida to turn photographs of blue skies collected from all over the world into an artwork, to coincide with the UN’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which falls on 7th September annually.
A recent report by Greenpeace India found that more than 99% of the population in the countries researched was breathing polluted air, with some groups at greater risk of harm. New parents to a baby girl, co2 created ‘To Dream of Blue Skies’ to represent their hopes of a future with clean air for their child.
Following their values of using discarded waste in their work, the 2.7-metre tall art piece is made from 2000 photos of blue skies printed on used paper sourced from a primary school. The images were submitted by citizens from around the world joining Greenpeace’s The Air We Share movement to demand clean air.
Oscar Lee from art duo co2 said:
“The paper with children’s handwriting on it represents the path of learning that my baby will take as she grows older. Printed with images of blue skies, she will still be able to see blue skies when she’s young but if we do not act to tackle air pollution, the skies will get dirtier as she grows up. But at the end of the cloud, there’s a hint of a bright blue sky to signify the hope of a clear, pollution-free sky again if we take immediate action now.”
“I’m sure most parents will resonate with this piece as we are all more concerned about our children than ourselves. As a parent, we will always work hard to provide the best for our children. Air pollution needs to be solved so that our kids and future generations can have a better future in a safe and healthy environment.”
Greenpeace Malaysia Campaigner Heng Kiah Chun said:
“The revised WHO air limit guidelines is another wake up call that we have to take urgent and immediate action to tackle air pollution. Dirty air affects everyone on this planet but some groups of people are impacted more and have less power to change the situation. We are calling on everyone to stand together to demand clean air.”
WHO Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment Dr. Maria Neiro said:
“Very often I have to repeat these horrible figures – 7 million premature deaths caused by exposure to air pollution, 99% of the world population are breathing unhealthy air based on WHO standards and not breathing air that will protect their health. On the contrary, they are breathing polluted air that will cause very serious health problems. In addition, there are inequities as the most vulnerable, the poor population, are the most affected. This is an unacceptable way of living. We all need to take action. We all have the right to breathe clean air.”
‘To Dream of Blue Skies’ will be exhibited at Muzium Telekom, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 8th September 2022 to 8th October 2022. Entry is free and open to the public.
ENDS
Videos and photos can be found in the Greenpeace Media Library.
Contact
Joy Chiang, press officer, Greenpeace East Asia: [email protected], +886987896179
Heng Kiah Chun, campaigner, Greenpeace Malaysia: [email protected] +60163198278
Tan Lee Kuen, communications officer, Greenpeace International: [email protected], +60165844830
Greenpeace International Press Desk: [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)
