Spotify hosts discussion about the environment, culture, and the economy with climate change scientist Brian Soden, eco artist Xavier Cortada, and urbanist Marta Viciedo.
MIAMI (November 1, 2016)—Surrounded by melting ice sculpture houses—made by local artist Ivan Depeña—and a twinkling and ominously beautiful skyline of Miami, Brian Soden describes his love-hate relationship with climate change.
He loves that the climate changes because it provides him with rich data. He hates it, he says, from an ethical perspective. As the changes in our climate are having more real and profound effects on society, culture, and the economy, policymakers can no longer shrug off environmental issues and hope that future generations ‘figure it out.’
Soden, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, was joined by prolific eco artist Xavier Cortada, B.A. ’86, M.PA. ’91, J.D. ’91, now an artist-in-residence at Florida International University’s College of Architecture + The Arts and the FIU College of Arts and Sciences School of Environment, Arts and Society, and co-founder of the Urban Impact Lab, Marta Viciedo, at Clarify on Tuesday, October 18, in Miami Beach.
Clarify is a video series presented by Spotify, Mic, and Headcount to highlight climate change, the environment, culture, and the economy as a key 2016 election issue.
Storms and weather events are increasing in intensity, including South Florida’s ill-famed king tides—super high tides that are expected to create even greater flooding as sea levels rise. A lot of the changes in climate are already “baked” into the atmosphere and the oceans, but it is not too late to prevent even greater changes.
“Like navigating a large ship, you can start to turn the ship now but it won’t change course until some ways down,” said Soden.
—Jessica M. Castillo / UM News
