Let’s Do Better

+ UConn BFA Senior Thesis 2019

The Millennial generation and those that follow are facing a climate crisis that the world is unprepared for. We’ve all heard “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but how often do we actually live by it? As a generation shaped by meme culture, we connect through humor, parody, and satire.

While studying abroad in London, I discovered How Bad Are Bananas? by Mike Berners-Lee, a book that explores the carbon footprint of everyday items in a surprisingly relatable way. Inspired by this, I created a series of stop-motion animations that juxtapose two seemingly unrelated things based on their environmental impact. The goal is to inspire awareness about our consumption habits, not by lecturing, but by offering a light-hearted perspective on the small actions we can take to reduce our environmental footprint.

The project also features an installation with upcycled cardboard cut-outs from snack boxes, displaying excerpts from Greta Thunberg’s 2018 speech, alongside buttons that viewers can take as reminders to "Do Better." Focusing on consumerism, transportation, and food production, this project aims to spark conversations about sustainability through humor and creativity.