So far, I have learned about sustainability.
I think sustainability can be used in illustrations to promote and remind people of the importance of sustainable development.

It's going to be a very challenging project because I don't have a lot of knowledge about it.

I thought maybe I could study an artist's illustrations

Illustrators are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to reduce digital pollution and resource consumption. Here are two concrete examples of how they address this problem:

1. Switching to Energy-Efficient Tools & Workflows

Problem: Digital illustration relies on power-hungry software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop) and devices (high-end tablets, GPUs).

Solutions:

• Using Low-Power Devices: Some illustrators opt for energy-efficient tablets (e.g., reMarkable, iPad with renewable energy charging) instead of power-intensive desktop setups.

• Software Optimization:

  • Reducing file sizes (working in lower DPI when possible).

  • Using lightweight, open-source tools like Krita instead of resource-heavy programs.

  • Turning off auto-save/cloud sync when not needed.

• Offline Work: Avoiding constant cloud backups and working locally to cut data center reliance.

Example:

• An illustrator creating webcomics might use a solar-powered tablet and export files in optimized PNG formats instead of large PSDs, reducing storage and energy demands.

2. Adopting Sustainable Art Distribution & NFTs (Critically)

Problem: Digital art distribution (social media, NFTs) often involves high-energy platforms (e.g., Ethereum-based NFTs).

Solutions:

• Eco-Friendly NFTs: Some illustrators mint NFTs on low-energy blockchains like Tezos or Solana (which use ~1% of Ethereum’s energy).

• Physical + Digital Hybrids:

  • Selling limited-edition prints (sustainably sourced paper) with a digital unlock, reducing pure digital waste.

  • Using QR codes in physical art to link to digital galleries instead of hosting heavy files online.

• Carbon-Offset Commissions: Some artists pledge to offset emissions from digital sales by planting trees or funding renewables.

Example:

• Illustrator Sarah Zucker releases NFT art on Tezos and promotes "slow digital art" (encouraging collectors to download rather than stream).

Bonus: Reducing Unnecessary Revisions

• Many illustrators streamline client feedback to avoid endless file transfers (e.g., using low-res drafts first before finalizing in high-res).

By optimizing tools, distribution, and workflows, illustrators prove that digital art can be more sustainable without sacrificing creativity.

I'm an illustration student, and suggest me three ways to tackle internet pollution.

As an illustration student, you can make a meaningful impact on reducing internet pollution by adopting sustainable digital habits. Here are three practical ways to tackle this issue while maintaining your creative workflow:

1. Optimize Your Digital Files

Problem: Large, uncompressed art files (PSDs, TIFFs) consume excessive cloud storage and energy when uploaded/shared.

Solutions:

• Downsize Resolution: Use 72–150 DPI for web/digital art (instead of 300+ DPI for print).

• Compress Files: Export as JPEG (for web) or PNG-8 (for limited colors) instead of heavy formats like TIFF.

• Clean Layers: Flatten or merge unnecessary layers before saving to reduce file size.

• Use Vector When Possible: Logos/icons in SVG format are lightweight and scalable.

Action Step:
Before uploading your portfolio, run files through TinyPNG or ImageOptim to strip hidden metadata.

2. Reduce Cloud & Streaming Dependence

Problem: Storing all your work on Google Drive/Dropbox or streaming tutorials endlessly adds to data center loads.

Solutions:

• Local Backups: Use an external SSD/hard drive for raw files instead of cloud-only storage.

• Download, Don’t Stream: Save tutorial videos (e.g., Skillshare, YouTube) offline instead of rewatching online.

• Low-Data Substitutes: Listen to podcast versions of tutorials (audio uses 95% less data than video).

Action Step:
Set up a local backup routine (e.g., weekly backups to an external drive) and delete unused cloud files.

3. Promote Sustainable Sharing Practices

Problem: Social media platforms auto-play high-res images/videos, and NFTs can have a huge carbon footprint.

Solutions:

• Eco-Friendly Portfolios: Host your work on carbon-neutral websites (e.g., Cargo Collective uses green hosting).

• Smart Social Media:

  • Upload images at optimal sizes (Instagram: 1080px width) to avoid unnecessary compression/re-uploads.

  • Disable auto-play videos in your app settings.

• If Exploring NFTs: Choose low-energy blockchains like Tezos or Polygon over Ethereum.

Action Step:
Add a note to your portfolio: "This website runs on renewable energy" to raise awareness.

Bonus: Advocate for Change

• Join initiatives like ClimateAction.tech or The Green Web Foundation.

• Share tips with peers (e.g., "Did you know compressing files cuts internet pollution?").

Small changes add up—your art doesn’t have to cost the planet! 🌱✨

This project is related to product design, which solves the problem of chewing gum not being degraded by making various products from the collected chewing gum

I'm focused on the pollution caused by electronic waste, while Raina is concerned about how paper posters can cause a lot of environmental damage, so she thinks we should use electronic devices to display posters.

This discussion made me realize that instead of trying to resist due to pollution caused by electronic devices, we should come up with solutions, like buying second-hand electronics to reduce e-waste.

This song was released in 2019 and was inspired by the growth of seeds. However, it also criticizes how capitalism destroys the environment for profit. The lyrics call for a return to balance, urging people to rebuild a harmonious relationship with nature instead of exploiting it. It reminds us that humans depend on nature, not the other way around, and encourages listeners to rethink their role in protecting the Earth. The song conveys powerful emotions, blending hope and urgency, demanding that people make changes before it's too late. I've learned from this song about the disasters that people cause to nature for money and profit. I feel that this song gives me an crazy emotion .

NOW I'M LEARNING TO LOVE THE WAR - FATHER JOHN MISTY

The lyrics highlight the environmental cost of human creativity and vanity. They criticize the excessive use of oil in producing records, paintings, and other non-biodegradable materials, lyrics calling it "mankind's death wish." It makes me reflect on how modern life prioritizes convenience and permanence over sustainability. We create things that outlast us but harm the planet. Father John Misty’s guilt resonates—our legacy may not be art or music, but pollution. The line "I sure hope they make something useful out of me" suggests a desire for redemption. We should rethink consumption, reduce waste, and leave behind a healthier Earth.

BIG YELLOW TAXI - JONI MITCHELL

This song warns  about  environmental  destruction disguised as progress. The lyrics "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" criticizes city replacing nature. Written in 1970, the song also mentions pesticides harming agriculture ("Hey farmer, put away that DDT now"), reflecting early eco-consciousness. Mitchell’s regretful sing ("Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone") reminds us don‘t wait until we lose it to regret. Today, climate change and environmental issues makes her message even more urgent. The song teaches that development shouldn’t sacrifice the environment—true progress protects natural, not destroys it.

MERCY MERCY ME - MARVIN GAYE

lamented the devastating impact of human activity on the environment. The song's lyrics involve toxic air, oil-polluted oceans, and dying animals, and the song captures ecological despair. It was released during the early environmental movement, reflecting a growing awareness of the consequences of pollution. Today, climate change and biodiversity loss justify Gaye's concerns. The song urges us to take action – before nature is destroyed by human selfishness. Real progress must be healing, not exploiting, the planet.

FEELS LIKE SUMMER - CHILDISH GANBINO

Childish Gambino's 'Feels Like Summer' (2018) captures the uneasy feeling of climate anxiety with its dreamy  ominous. The lyrics talk about a world where it's 'getting hotter every day' and people are 'passing the time, afraid of what they'll discover,' reflecting our collective paralysis when facing environmental crisis. Unlike protest songs, its understated expression shows how climate change often feels far away—until disaster comes. Gambino blends personal and global fears ('I wish this world would change'), suggesting that individual actions are important. The song reminds us that while summer warmth seems nice now, uncontrolled global warming is going to make those high temperatures unbearable. We need to act before every season feels like summer.

COMPARISON

Aurora's The Seed and Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi both explore humans' destructive relationship with nature, but they differ in their approaches.

Big Yellow Taxi (1970) uses irony and regret, lamenting that "they paved heaven to build a parking lot" and the use of DDT. Its light-hearted melody is contrasted with a serious message, emphasizing that progress often harms the environment unconsciously.

However, The Seeds (2022) is more urgent and crazy. Aurora's lyrics "You cannot eat money, oh no" are a direct critique of people's destruction of nature. It reflects people's anxiety about the climate

Mitchell's song warns of loss, while Aurora's song is like a cry – both are calls to protect the ecology.

1.are caused

2. is made

3. was damaged

4.are shown

5.were invited

6.isn't found

7.weren't surrounded

8.was overtaken

9. was injured

10,is surrounded

11.was sent

12.is owned

42.2

1.when is the television invented?

2.how was the mountains form?

3.when was the DNA discovered?

4.what is the sliver used for?

42.3

1.covers was covered

2.was stolen is disappeared

3.died were brought up

4.sank was rescued

5.was fired resigned

6. can not bothered am not bothered

7.broke fell

8.are they called do you call them

42.4

1.all flights were cancelled because of fog

2.he was accused of stealing money

3.how is this word used

4.all taxes are included in the price

5.we were warned not to go out alone

6.this office is not used any more.

7.fice hundred people were invited to the wedding

Adapted from

Jordan, L. and Anane, M. (2025)

Movie sets need a lot of electricity for lights , Old lights use too much power, but now many films use LED lights because they save about 80% less energy. LED lights are better for the environment. Some movies use solar-power or work with renewable energy partners to reduce their impact. This proves that movies can be more great without harming the planet. （GreenFilmWatch. 2022).

Actors often fly long travel, it causes air pollution. To fix this, some studios committed to hire local workers instead of bringing people from far away. This helps the environment and saves money. （Lee, T. 2023).

The film industry is changing to help the planet. By using LED lights, solar energy, movies can be made in a cleaner way. If more filmmakers use these ideas, the movie business can become greener. This is important because everyone should help protect the Earth.

References

GreenFilmWatch. (2022).

Lee, T. (2023).

I am interested in this research topic - sustainability. My major allows me to say more than I did before. I love the process of self-interviews, and I always feel my progress at the end of the interview. That's exactly what I've been hoping for. I use speaking and listening methods to help me notice how to do better.

But I still have questions. For example, I speak quickly because I am nervous, which makes it impossible for me to express my point clearly, and sometimes I say the wrong words because of nervousness. I found that I need to work on improving my presentation skills, it is very important for me and I should spend more time practicing it.

I didn't finish this presentation very fluently, and my presentation was quite stuttering.

What went well?

I clearly expressed my thoughts and research, and I feel like it's a step forward for me.

What would you improve next time?

More and more practice, the reason why I didn't do well this time was because I didn't practice enough.

Did you use any tips from the “Presenting Effectively” PCA？

I think so, this PPT I made is simple, more to say. There wasn't much nerves either.

How did the audience respond?

They asked me very good questions, and although it was a bit difficult for me, it meant that they were listening to me carefully, which made me happy.

A classmate’s presentation

Definitely Clara. The topic of her speech was Coca-Cola like mine, but the poster she made was more complete and better looking than mine, and her speech was perfect, there was nothing bad about it. I should learn all about her presentation.

Good in my Identity project poster

Have big, clear headings (like "Sargent’s Painting Style")

Use pictures that stand out (not small or blurry)

Keep colors simple (2–3 colors max)

Leave empty space – don’t fill every corner!

Use easy-to-read fonts (like Arial)

Bad

Too much writing

Small text

Messy layout

What I’ll do better ？

Less text: Use short bullet points (like Sargent’s "Loosely painted portraits").

Better pictures: Pick one big painting (like the cornfield scene) as my focus.

Simple references: Put sources in a small box at the bottom.

Helpful advice I got:
Classmates said: "Use less hard words." My teacher said: "Use numbers next to pictures (like F0_1) to explain them."

Change this time :

Poster: Put key info on the top left, pictures in the middle, and end on the bottom right.

Presentation: Start by saying: "First, I’ll talk about Sargent’s style. Next, his paintings. Last, why he matters."

Today made me feel better about my presentation.

It's really helpful to think of an article as a reader's journey. A good start tells the reader about my plan, then follows the plan in the middle, and ends with them reminded of the journey. It's useful to plan with an outline first.

I feel more confident now than before because I understand the basic plan. It feels less messy.
But I still feel a little nervous. It's hard to get the middle paragraph really strong and smooth to connect ideas in a real paper. It is also still challenging for me to use English perfectly for complex ideas.

I want to do a better job of writing body paragraphs. I want to write the first sentence that clearly expresses my ideas, choose the best facts or examples, and explain how those facts prove my point.

Next time , I will spend more time planning each paragraph before I write it.

Climate colonialism is this new kind of colonial system where developed countries shift their emission responsibilities and ecological costs onto developing nations. At its core, it’s all about using climate issues to keep exploiting resources, which really messes up the fairness of the global environment. One thing I’ve learned from this is that if developed countries can’t step up and take responsibility for their actions and costs, it’s going to have a huge impact on the world’s environment.

2,Sustainability & Fashion

A large number of fast-fashion clothes cause pollution, and textile dyeing produces wastewater; Synthetic fabrics release microplastics into the ocean.

I've learned that using non-eco-friendly materials in fast fashion really harms the environment.

3.Climate Change Humanity must cross these boundaries in order to survive safely on Earth. Examples include:
climate change (too much CO₂),
biodiversity loss (plant/animal extinction),
Pollution (plastics/chemicals in nature).
I've learned that we should be aware of these issues, otherwise the environment will be unlivable