When was the last time you walked up to a world-renowned climate scientist on the street to ask about climate change? As uncanny as it seems, climate scientists and experts will be available on “Ask a Scientist Day,” Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7 (morning only). These volunteer scientists are part of “Climate Signals,” an exhibition by the Climate Museum that works with scientists from NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and research centers within Columbia University’s Earth Institute.
And these scientists won’t be hard to find — they will be at select locations in all five boroughs of New York City and found standing next to a digital highway sign flashing short, metaphoric and poetic messages about climate change. The signs were created by artist Justin Brice Guariglia who worked with eco-philosopher Timothy Morton and say things like, “We are the Asteroid,” or “Danger: Anthropo Centrism,” “Warning: Hurrica-ne Human,” and “No Icebergs Ahead” among others. The 10 large (11’X78’), solar-powered highway signs are in various parks and neighborhoods — particularly those areas most vulnerable to climate change; they are multilingual with translations in Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish and will feature languages commonly spoken in the neighborhood. Scientists stationed at signs are there as a one-of-a-kind resource.
Here’s where scientists will be location on “Ask a Scientist Day,” Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7 (morning only).
Manhattan – Hudson River Park, Pier 84 Harlem River Park
Bronx – St. Mary’s Park Hunts Point Riverside Park
Queens – Flushing Meadows Corona Park Jamaica Bay (Rockaways Boardwalk or Canarsie Pier, Brooklyn)
Brooklyn – Brooklyn Bridge Park Sunset Park
Staten Island – Snug Harbor
Governors Island – Castle Williams
