When we talk about climate change today, we are responding to scientific evidence that shows the differences in our climate over an extended period of time. We have 650 000 years of scientific evidence showing the advance and retreat of glaciers. Easily disputed questions regarding the origins of these changes draw the focus of the debate surrounding climate change and interfere in the decision-making process on how to proceed.
Excerpt from Throwing Glitter at Christians by Connor Parissis, Student Anthology Diversity 2019. Glitter filled the air. We danced among it like children in the eternal gardens. We threw it in all directions, on them and on ourselves. We doused their signs in it. We laughed and we mocked as the perseverance melted from their faces. We coloured the avenue with it like it was our war paint. The sunset dwindled and the campus began to empty. Both sides knew this minor battle had ended, both of the assumption they were the victors, but the war had only just begun...
Sometime in March, while filled with dread over the impeding Covid-19 pandemic, I had one of those delightful yet tragically rare moments on social media where I found something that gave hope among the doom and gloom. The Venetian canals were clear for the first time in years.
Excerpt from Assimilation by Mary Stanley, Student Anthology Diversity 2019. Ferris stood at the edge of the gutter and looked out. Heaving metal skyscrapers grew out of the horizon. Smog blanketed the rooftops, the sky near indistinguishable from the silver cityscape. Behind the polluted clouds, the sun glowed a stale yellow...
Climate change is a large and looming issue that affects us all. But between the worrying statistics, the scientific facts and the political ‘debates’, a growing sense of apathy has been occurring – and this can be more dangerous than climate change denial. Artists around the world are tackling this apathy with climate change artwork. Through sculptures, photography, paintings, apps and installations, the arts are engaging people on an emotional level to reignite the spark that gets people talking, marching and fighting for climate change action.
Excerpt from Intolerance by Sheree Strange, Student Anthology Diversity 2019. We’ve arrived early for dinner with my sister-in-law, and we’re staring wide-eyed around the restaurant. My husband looks impressed, and I’m sure I look anxious, because we are both noticeably under-dressed. It’s got a casual name, but this is without a doubt the swankiest establishment to which I’ve ever been granted entry. ..
When we think of climate change, our concerns focus on our future. The effect global warming will have on us. And while it’s important to maintain our attention on the effects of global warming like rising sea levels and droughts, we often forget another important victim of climate change; animals.
As of last summer – now termed ‘Black Summer’ by some outlets – Australia has experienced its worst bushfire season in history. Over 2400 homes were lost, 81% of the Blue Mountains Heritage Area burned, 80% of people were affected by fire and smoke, and 800 million animals perished in New South Wales alone. This led to further environmental damage as it was estimated that the bushfires pumped between 650 million and 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air.
The University of Sydney Anthology is an annual publication that showcases
the creative works of staff, students and alumni of the University of Sydney.
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Contact our team at anthology@sydney.edu.au
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