Artist’s Poignant Images of What America’s National Parks Will Look Like by 2050 Will Inspire You to Act

Hannah Rothstein is a visual artist based in Berkeley, California. She recently produced a series of posters with poignant messages regarding climate change and our national parks.  Using classic vintage National Park Service posters as references, Rothstein illustrates what our protected lands could look like by 2050 if nothing is done to stop climate change.

Comparing the original poster with Rothstein’s side by side, we can see the stark contrast of the effects Climate change can have on the future of our parks. From dying wildlife to disappearing geysers and infestations, Yellowstone would not be the iconic mecca it has been known as forever.

In this piece highlighting Northern California’s breathtaking Redwoods National Park, Rothstein shows the tragic future the world’s tallest and oldest trees could suffer from because of fires resulting from intense heat.

Rothstein tackles the issue of drought in her image featuring Crater Lake National Park. A melted snowpack and a dry lakebed are serious issues that could become a reality if nothing changes.

You can visit Rothstein’s website to view the other images from the series.  If you are feeling inspired by this project, please consider supporting our national parks and planning a visit to one of them. With 417 parks on over 84 million acres all across each of the fifty states and U.S. territories, you are sure to find one perfect for you and your travel buddies. Please visit the National Park Service website to learn more about each park and plan your visit.

Knowing what we do about the impact of Climate change, it can be easy to feel defenseless or that this is a problem too large for us to even make a dent in. This, however, is hardly the case.  People are making small changes every day like choosing to walk or bike to work rather than driving, seeking out recycling bins for plastic waste, and even being mindful of the impact of their consumption choices. In keeping with this theme of doing small things, there is another solution that can have an enormously positive impact for the planet – and, it might just be the simplest one yet: changing the way you eat.

You can start eating for the planet by doing nothing more than choosing a delicious plant-based meal over one laden with animal products. If you look at it from a personal perspective, you can cut your own carbon footprint in half just by leaving meat off your plate for one year. (Plus save a lot of water, redirect grain for people to eat, and help protect endangered species…)

You can #EatForThePlanet starting today. Just follow the three simple steps below.

1. Replace: Try to swap animal-based products in your daily diet with vegan alternatives (milk, butter, mayo, cheese, grilled chicken, beef crumbles, sausages, cold cuts, etc.)
2. Embrace: Add plant-based whole foods (local and organic when possible) to your diet like greens, fresh fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins like lentils, nuts/seeds, beans, tofu, etc.
3. Moderate: Limit consumption of your favorite meats like beef, lamb, pork, etc.

“The #EatForThePlanet Way is not about restricting your diet, but about changing the way you think about your food choices,” says Zacharias. “When you Eat for the Planet, you make the conscious decision to reduce your negative impact on the world around you.”

We all have the power to create a better future for our children, and the countless animals we share the planet with, by making one easy swap. If you’re ready to start doing this in your own life, check out One Green Planet’s #EatForThePlanet campaign.

Click on the graphic below for more information

All Image Source: Hannah Rothstein / National Parks 2050