“Protect glaciers”

 

Global heating is currently threatening the world’s glaciers, promising to have tremendous negative impacts on our way of life. Yet glaciers are largely invisible except for tourism, so most people don’t understand their importance – making it hard to make the case for protecting them. Quitong Xu has used a range of jewellery to speculate on life after the disappearance of glaciers – and in doing so, help make them more visible and defensible. Reflecting on the changes to lifestyles following such a cataclysmic event, Xu suggestions include artificial glaciers which can be carried around as a source of drinking water and personal carbon dioxide absorbers. Xu notes: “Designers can use jewellery to promote a way of life in the future, providing an interaction between jewellery and wearer which prompts an emotional response. In this way, the problem of melting glaciers can be made more visible and more urgent”.