When Canvas Meets Climate

By Namrata Kohli

Can art stir the eco warrior in us? Yes, art has an extraordinary capacity to stir our souls by tapping into deep, often unspoken, emotions and experiences. While beautiful paintings of nature or evocative art forms of mother earth may serve as therapy, sometimes art can reveal uncomfortable truths and shake us, shock us. Take the case of the recently launched Climate-Responsive Art installation at Karma Lakelands, an attempt to create a visual and emotional call to action against climate change.

Below2° is an initiative by Karma Lakelands, India’s leading eco-resort dedicated to combating climate change with a commitment to sustainability and has been conceptualized and executed by the Greener Earth Foundation. Speaking about the installation, Ashwani Khurana, Founder & Chief Eternal Optimist (CEO), Karma Lakelands, said- “Sustainability and creativity have the power to drive real change when they come together. Below2° is not just an art installation; it is a compelling reminder of the fragile balance we must protect.”

In a powerful fusion of art, science, and activism, Below2° features a five-foot globe constructed from 1,000 repurposed golf balls, hand-painted by schoolchildren to symbolize the generation inheriting the planet. It highlights the critical 2°C threshold, a tipping point that could define our planet’s future. The globe is structured with a specialized wax blend engineered to melt at 53°C, serving as a metaphor for the consequences of surpassing critical climate thresholds. By merging science with storytelling, it transforms complex climate data into an emotional and immersive experience. 

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the annual mean land surface air temperature averaged over India during 2024 was +0.65°C above the long-term average (1991–2020), marking the warmest year since nationwide records began in 1901. Scientists predict that exceeding the 2°C threshold could trigger irreversible consequences, including extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, and habitat destruction.

A key element of the installation is the surrounding 14 3D-printed endangered species listed under the IUCN RedList, printed from recycled plastic. These include critically endangered species such as the Siberian Crane, African Forest Elephant, and Hawksbill Turtle, along with the extinct Bramble Cay Melomys- the first subspecies to go extinct due to climate change, serving as a visual representation of the species most at risk due to climate change.

Says the artist Aakash Ranison - “The golf balls were sourced from Karma Lakelands, where they had been lost in the property's water bodies over the years. When these ponds were drained for clearing, the balls were recovered - each one a striking representation of human impact on nature. The challenge wasn’t just in retrieving them but in reimagining their purpose within a larger environmental narrative.

The creation of Below2° was a six-month journey, where conceptualization began in September, followed by rigorous scientific calculations in October to ensure accuracy and impact. In November, the idea was presented at COP29, earning international recognition and reinforcing its significance in global climate discussions.

What is the real message the artwork conveys? According to Aashna Khurana, Director Karma Lakelands- “Among the many messages the artwork conveys, the one closest to my heart is collective responsibility. The fight against climate change is not just for scientists or policymakers, it is for all of us. The fact that schoolchildren hand-painted the golf balls used in this installation makes it even more meaningful, this generation will inherit the planet we shape today. Below2° is a reminder that the time to act is now, urging individuals and industries to embrace more responsible practices before it’s too late.” She shares that the installation conveys its urgency through three powerful elements: “melting wax, symbolizing the fragility of our ecosystem and the rapid loss of glaciers; a transitioning globe, representing the irreversible changes our planet is undergoing due to rising temperatures; and species, highlighting the alarming rate of biodiversity loss and the extinction crisis driven by global warming. As the wax melts, it should leave people questioning their own carbon footprints and what they can do to prevent this reality. Through this installation, we want visitors to reflect on their daily choices—how they travel, consume resources, and engage with nature. If each person leaves with a heightened awareness and a commitment to change, then this project has served its purpose.”

The impact of Below2° goes beyond mere awareness, it is designed to stir an emotional response that compels action. By immersing viewers in a striking, tangible representation of climate change, the installation at Karma Lakelands serves as a wake-up call. It reinforces that the time to act is not in the future, it is now.