Footing the Bill: Art and Our Ecological Footprint (2020)
An exhibition addressing the urgent need to live sustainably within Earth's finite resources
As human population and consumption grow, we will make ever-increasing demands upon the forests, pastures, cropland, fisheries and other biologically productive areas of this planet we call home. Today, humanity uses the equivalent of 1.75 planets to satisfy our demands for natural resources and waste absorption, and we are on track to require the resources of two planets well before mid-century.
TWO WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE EXHIBITION:
- Explore the Artist Galleries
- Take a Featured Tour compiled by a leading environmental organization
View our SHORT VIDEO to learn about the interactive features of the gallery, and access the exhibition with the buttons below:
Art Works For Change, along with our partners at Earth Day Network, Global Footprint Network, NRDC, World Wildlife Fund and Oceana, invite you to explore humanity’s ecological footprint through the unique lens of contemporary art.
Exhibition Venues
Online | Ongoing
Overview
Originally launched on August 13, 2015 (Earth Overshoot Day 2015), Footing the Bill: Art and Our Ecological Footprint is an ongoing exhibition that addresses the urgent need to live sustainably within the Earth’s finite resources. The exhibition features a curated exhibition of artists whose work challenges us to reflect on our ecological footprint, as well as virtual tours from leading environmental organizations. The exhibition is updated annually to commemorate Earth Day.
About Partnering Organizations
Art Works For Change is a nonprofit organization that creates contemporary art exhibitions to address critical social and environmental issues. Our museum-quality exhibitions are hosted by fine art institutions all over the world, and feature artists whose work promotes awareness, provokes dialogue and inspires action.
Earth Day Network works year-round with thousands of partners worldwide to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. We lead environmental campaigns, promote green economic policies, educate the public and energize communities to secure a healthy future for themselves and their children.
Global Footprint Network is an international think tank that coordinates research, develops methodological standards and provides decision-makers with a menu of tools to help the human economy operate within Earth’s ecological limits.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, their lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world’s natural resources, public health, and the environment.
World Wildlife Fund is the world’s leading conservation organization. We use our global reach and a foundation in science to conserve nature and spur action on the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. We run science-based campaigns and seek to win policy victories that can restore ocean biodiversity and ensure that the oceans are abundant and can feed hundreds of millions of people.
Take Action
Visit our Pledge Center for guides and mobile apps to help you reduce your environmental impact.
Press Release
View the press release for this exhibition.