JOIN THE DOTS is the result of the cross-disciplinary collaboration between Designer, Joanna Alpe and Sustainability Strategist, Rebecca Mills.

The Join the Dots install in Auckland, as part of Make Something exhibition, is an invitation to uncover the relationships New Zealand has to the rest of the world around the issues of sustainability and climate change. These connections act as thought starters, and are intended to be catalyst for further exploration and action, the beginning of a larger collaborative body of work. Rebecca and Joanna have begun this collaboration across disciplines, timezones and seas to create a platform that helps reveal connections between people, their countries and their world.

Over time it is hoped that visitors to Join the Dots will add to the conversation, explore some more, but ultimately find a tangible way to do something about it.  Rebecca and Joanna intend on touring the installation, continuing to join the dots and publishing their research, insights and findings as it relates to each new location of installation.

Join the Dots is a non-commercial collaboration for good.  We would love to get your thoughts, insights and add them to the mix. Add a comment or send us a message via twitter.  

Joanna Alpe is Creative Director and founder of We Love Inc, a awarded design studio specialising in interactive brand and spatial communication, with a foot in both Auckland and London. After emerging blinking from a late night life of band photography and music design, she embraced strategic brand design in the corporate sector before returning in 2008 to another relatively late night existence - splitting her time between two countries with diametrically opposed timezones. In her spare time she reads up on code and wishes she had shares in Skype and Dropbox.
 Rebecca Mills is the founder of Ministry of Green, a sustainability strategy and innovation consultancy. With training in both science and policy, Rebecca has been advising at a senior level on energy, climate change, resource management and sustainability issues to both governments and business for more than ten years.  Rebecca’s specialist knowledge has led her to develop innovative strategies and masterplans for many high profile, world leading and complex projects in both New Zealand and Europe.  Rebecca has a passion for fashion, history and upcycling. In her spare time you might find her delighting in dusting off discarded objects to reveal new functions and beauty.
 

Joanna Alpe is Creative Director and founder of We Love Inc, a awarded design studio specialising in interactive brand and spatial communication, with a foot in both Auckland and London. After emerging blinking from a late night life of band photography and music design, she embraced strategic brand design in the corporate sector before returning in 2008 to another relatively late night existence - splitting her time between two countries with diametrically opposed timezones. In her spare time she reads up on code and wishes she had shares in Skype and Dropbox.

 Rebecca Mills is the founder of Ministry of Green, a sustainability strategy and innovation consultancy. With training in both science and policy, Rebecca has been advising at a senior level on energy, climate change, resource management and sustainability issues to both governments and business for more than ten years.  Rebecca’s specialist knowledge has led her to develop innovative strategies and masterplans for many high profile, world leading and complex projects in both New Zealand and Europe.  Rebecca has a passion for fashion, history and upcycling. In her spare time you might find her delighting in dusting off discarded objects to reveal new functions and beauty.

 

The people of Papa New Guinea are becoming the world’s first climate refugees.  The 3,000 residents of Carteret Pacific Islands have to move as they will soon be under water as soon as 2015.  Two previous attempts to abandon it ended badly, when residents were chased back after clashing with their neighbours on larger islands.
The earth’s dwindling resources and climate change impacts have the potential to cause conflict over energy, water and arable land creating ‘resource wars’ into the future.  What is the responsibility of New Zealand to our most vulnerable neighbours.

The people of Papa New Guinea are becoming the world’s first climate refugees.  The 3,000 residents of Carteret Pacific Islands have to move as they will soon be under water as soon as 2015.  Two previous attempts to abandon it ended badly, when residents were chased back after clashing with their neighbours on larger islands.

The earth’s dwindling resources and climate change impacts have the potential to cause conflict over energy, water and arable land creating ‘resource wars’ into the future.  What is the responsibility of New Zealand to our most vulnerable neighbours.

East Africa is facing drought and the worst food crisis of the 21st Century.  12 million people are in dire need of food and clean water.  Even if we stopped emissions today, East Africa will still face decades of disruptive climate change.   Ironically, New Zealand will see some initial benefits from climate change to agriculture manifesting as a longer growing season, less frost and increased rainfall.  What should our response be to climate vulnerable countries?

East Africa is facing drought and the worst food crisis of the 21st Century. 12 million people are in dire need of food and clean water. Even if we stopped emissions today, East Africa will still face decades of disruptive climate change. Ironically, New Zealand will see some initial benefits from climate change to agriculture manifesting as a longer growing season, less frost and increased rainfall. What should our response be to climate vulnerable countries?

Glaciers are considered among the most sensitive indicators of climate change. Argentina’s Upsala Glacier was once the biggest in South America, but it is now disappearing at a rate of 200 metres per year causing concern about the impact on tourism.
New Zealand scientists have determined that the volume of ice in New Zealand’s glaciers has declined by about 50% in the last century. Scientists also expect that Franz Josef Glacier will retreat 5 km and lose a further 38% of its mass by 2100. 
The glacier area is a main tourist attraction with around 250,000 visitors a year, and up to 2,700 per day.

Glaciers are considered among the most sensitive indicators of climate change. Argentina’s Upsala Glacier was once the biggest in South America, but it is now disappearing at a rate of 200 metres per year causing concern about the impact on tourism.

New Zealand scientists have determined that the volume of ice in New Zealand’s glaciers has declined by about 50% in the last century. Scientists also expect that Franz Josef Glacier will retreat 5 km and lose a further 38% of its mass by 2100. 

The glacier area is a main tourist attraction with around 250,000 visitors a year, and up to 2,700 per day.

Globally 2 out of every 3 people will be seriously short of fresh water by 2025.  Climate models predict water security problems intensifying in southern and eastern Australia.  Even through New Zealand has enough water to fill Lake Taupo from empty eight times over each year we are also water stressed.  Water is causing disputes at a policy level and New Zealanders have spent a great deal of time fighting one another about them, politically, at hearings and in the courts – often with sub-optimal outcomes. How should we decide who get’s the water first?

Globally 2 out of every 3 people will be seriously short of fresh water by 2025.  Climate models predict water security problems intensifying in southern and eastern Australia.  Even through New Zealand has enough water to fill Lake Taupo from empty eight times over each year we are also water stressed.  Water is causing disputes at a policy level and New Zealanders have spent a great deal of time fighting one another about them, politically, at hearings and in the courts – often with sub-optimal outcomes. How should we decide who get’s the water first?

The U.S Army have warned that global surplus oil production capacity could disappear within two years and there could be serious shortages by 2015 with significant economic and political impact.  In September the U.S Army announced that it has formed a new Energy Initiatives Task Force that will assess renewable energy projects and develop new technologies to support the growing commitment to powering its missions with renewable energy.  When the U.S military admit that Peak Oil is real and imminent, should New Zealanders mute the TV, sit up and take notice?

The U.S Army have warned that global surplus oil production capacity could disappear within two years and there could be serious shortages by 2015 with significant economic and political impact.  In September the U.S Army announced that it has formed a new Energy Initiatives Task Force that will assess renewable energy projects and develop new technologies to support the growing commitment to powering its missions with renewable energy.  When the U.S military admit that Peak Oil is real and imminent, should New Zealanders mute the TV, sit up and take notice?

Canada has prioritise using tolls to pay for roading infrastructure.  Although cars are still dominant, carpooling is making a comeback in Canada and dozens of ridesharing websites are emerging.  Around 86% of New Zealand’s oil consumption is used in transport (contributing 40% of our greenhouse gas emission). What will it take for New Zealanders to release their grip on car ownership?

Canada has prioritise using tolls to pay for roading infrastructure.  Although cars are still dominant, carpooling is making a comeback in Canada and dozens of ridesharing websites are emerging.  Around 86% of New Zealand’s oil consumption is used in transport (contributing 40% of our greenhouse gas emission). What will it take for New Zealanders to release their grip on car ownership?

Although China is the worlds largest emitter of greenhouses gases, 1/3 of these of emissions can be directly linked to what it exports to the rest of the world.  New Zealand imports a high proportion of machinery and textiles from China.  Should consumer-countries take responsibility for the carbon emissions generated in the manufacture of goods, not the produces countries that export them?

Although China is the worlds largest emitter of greenhouses gases, 1/3 of these of emissions can be directly linked to what it exports to the rest of the world. New Zealand imports a high proportion of machinery and textiles from China. Should consumer-countries take responsibility for the carbon emissions generated in the manufacture of goods, not the produces countries that export them?

By focusing on the clean tech sector Denmark has seen 78% economic growth in the past three decades. Ranking first in the World Bank’s Knowledge Economy Index, Danish companies now own 40% of the world market development for wind power.  An assessment of New Zealand’s wind has the potential to be used to generate over three times New Zealand’s current annual electricity demand.  What innovations in the clean tech sector could New Zealand contribute to the world, boosting our knowledge economy.

By focusing on the clean tech sector Denmark has seen 78% economic growth in the past three decades. Ranking first in the World Bank’s Knowledge Economy Index, Danish companies now own 40% of the world market development for wind power.  An assessment of New Zealand’s wind has the potential to be used to generate over three times New Zealand’s current annual electricity demand.  What innovations in the clean tech sector could New Zealand contribute to the world, boosting our knowledge economy.