HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE ON A HUMAN DOMINATED PLANET: EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ANTHROPOCENE

The Science Museum of Minnesota is working with a variety of research partners to develop Future Earth, an exhibit that strives to effectively exploit novel technologies and scientific visualization to engage the public in “Anthropocene” issues. The exhibit takes a solutions focused point of view, emphasizing innovative approaches to land use and energy issues. Particular attention is paid to the notions of “tipping points” in the environment and “fracture critical” systems of human construction. A spherical projection system, touch sensitive screens and web-based blogging extend the visitor experience beyond fixed interactive exhibit components and indeed beyond the walls of the museum. While the exhibit is currently in development, the distributed web-based “Earth Buzz” component is already up and running and open to national participation by the research and educational communities as well as the public. Once the exhibit opens in September 2011, visitors from groups ranging from the general public to policy makers will be invited to participate in a “talking circle” approach to confronting sometimes emotionally charged Anthropocene issues. Exhibit advisors span the fields of design, geology, ecology, and public policy; exhibit partners include several National Science Foundation Science and Technology Centers and researchers from the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota.