Young North Devonians have created a new response to local flooding risks with the help of world-leading climate photographer Gideon Mendel. In September 2023, as part of a Beaford Arts commission, Gideon visited North Devon to help local children explore what their environment might be like in 2050.
The result is a new collection of 18 images titled ‘When I’m 40’.
Gideon Mendel is an internationally renowned photographer who has been documenting conflict, change and social issues on a global scale since the early 1980s. In 2007, he began work on ‘Drowning World’, a major project about flooding and his response to the climate crisis. Documenting a variety of flooded locations internationally, his images have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.
In 2021, North Devon and Torridge District Councils participated in detailed research to establish how sea level rise could affect flood risk across the Taw-Torridge estuary. The findings show that more areas may be at risk of coastal change than previously thought, which highlights the significant impacts of climate change, particularly on coastal communities.
As part of his visit, Gideon led a masterclass with 18 local children aged 9-10 and their parents, exploring how rising tides may affect places they know and love during their lifetimes. The children went on to make placards asking the question of what their favourite North Devon location will be like when they are the grown-ups. Over the days that followed, Gideon created portraits of the children holding their signs on location, resulting in a brand-new collection of work called ‘When I’m 40’.
“Their statements are a powerful and direct challenge to older generations from the generation who had no part in creating the environmental mess that they might be living with in 2050”
This film features behind the scenes footage and interviews captured during the 'When I'm 40' commission
Our climate is changing
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published their sixth assessment report in March 2023. It states that human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have unequivocally caused global warming, with global surface temperature reaching 1.1°C above 1850–1900 in 2011–2020.
Global temperature change 1850-2022 (Ed Hawkin, University of Reading) showyourstripes.info
Climate change in the UK
The Met Office predicts the UK will experience:
• More droughts in summer
• More extreme heat in summer
• Increased rainfall intensity and frequency in winter
• Milder winters and changes to pest and
disease pressures
• Rising sea levels and increased coastal erosion
• Increase in the risk of wildfires
• Increase in the intensity and frequency of storms
Climate change in northern Devon
Our coastal habitats are at particular risk from the accelerating rise of sea levels. In 2022, global average sea level set a new record high—101.2 mm (4 inches) above 1993 levels.
North Devon and Torridge District Councils participated in detailed research with Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation and the University of Plymouth to establish potential flood risk across the Taw-Torridge estuary. This worst-case modelling, incorporating up-to-date climate predictions, shows more risk of coastal change than previously thought. The research does not reflect any future works for protection, which have the potential to reduce the potential impacts.
Information supplied by Donna Sibley, Sustainability and Climate Officer, North Devon District Council and Torridge District Council, September 2023
A childhood perspective on climate change
The A3 posters displayed here were made by more than 80 children who participated in free sessions during the summer holidays and in school workshops.
We created a library of books to help talk about the subject and demonstrate to the children that their opinions mattered.
The books we used in our workshops included:
· Greta and the Giants by Zoë Tucker, Zoe Persico (Illustrator)
· Flooded by Mariajo Ilustrajo
· The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
· The Tantrum that Saved the World by Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann
With special thanks to...
The children and families who took part in the workshops, Caen Primary School, Pilton Bluecoat Academy, Braunton Countryside Centre, Northam Burrows Country Park, Bridge Chambers, Barnstaple Pannier Market team, PhotoFrome, Plastic Free North Devon, Libraries Unlimited and Yes Sign Company
This project has been supported by the Cultural Development Fund, a sum of money recently awarded to North Devon Council by Arts Council England, on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media.
