In advance of COP28, Epson initiated a project entitled ‘Projecting Voices’ to explore how the younger generations feel about the impact of climate change. Epson invited the COP generation – those born since around the first COP in 1995 – to choose words that best express their feelings towards climate change. The results revealed a contrasting and startling mix of fear, hope and anxiety in similar measures.

Epson global president Yasunori Ogawa said, “With global leaders gathered at COP28 to determine how to achieve a more sustainable planet we wanted to focus on the future generation who will be most impacted by the decisions we make now.  Our survey revealed a troubling combination of hope, fear and anxiety.”

Katy and Gabriel used Epson’s EcoTank inkjet printer to test their vision while drawing inspiration from Epson’s Climate Reality Barometer research to create a moving social animation, deploying a variety of techniques to express humanity’s complex relationship with nature and the environment in the 21st century.

See their original, digital art created and produced by Katy Wang and Gabriel Greenough below, or click here.

Katy Wang said, “What has been interesting about the research Epson conducted with Gen COP is that they are almost 50:50 split on feeling hopeful and fearful. It got us thinking about the moments we have all experienced over the last couple of years since the pandemic, and on a personal level, how we have become more connected to the environment.”

Katy shared how the contrast between hopeful and pessimistic descriptions from the climate barometer resonated with them, and how she sought to create an animation that celebrates the variety and beauty of the natural world, as well as reflect some of the tension and inherent power that exists within it.

“We've focussed our animation on the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world in order to remind audiences that climate action can stem not just from fear but also a genuine gratitude for nature,” she explains.

“The simple act of noticing your environment more, and being present with the sounds, colours, and changing seasons, all propel us to recognise that nature has everything we need and gives to us endlessly. Preserving this, and looking after our home, has never been more important or urgent. We have really enjoyed developing this concept and we’re excited to share the animation,” she said.

Epson’s ‘Projecting Voices’ project was first devised as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to taking action toward climate change. Culminating in its Environmental Vision, in which it pledges to go carbon-negative and eliminate the use of underground resources by 2050. Epson has long aspired to achieve sustainability and enrich communities in many ways, as can be seen in the company’s latest Sustainability Report.

“We hope by projecting the voices of the generation that will play a key part in transforming the future of our planet for the better, we can bring home just how complicated our current feelings are toward the climate crisis.

“Despite the anxiety and fear that people are feeling, the fact Gen COP remains hopeful is a sign that optimism endures. Our planet is a closed and finite environment, so now we must take all the action we can to transition toward a more sustainable society”, Ogawa said.

Picture: Professor Katey Walter Anthony researching the effect of warming in the Arctic.