‘ I have created these works because 2024 has been the hottest year on record according to the United Nations Environment Program. In some country’s temperatures have risen by 2.7 degrees over the last 30 years, nearly double the global average increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius since pre- industrial time.

The temperatures on earth arising are mainly due to the continued burning of fossil fuels, oil, coal and gas. This releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which causes temperatures to rise.

My garden features in some of the paintings because I found the land was drying out due to 20 years of drought and climate change. I am concerned for the environment, birds and animals, for land, forests and the oceans. I am concerned for people affected by extreme weather events, I want to leave a better environment for my grandchildren.

I have staged my exhibition titled, ‘Change Climate Change’ to coincide with World Climate Change Day and to create awareness in our community’.

Julie Mielke