By MOBINA MARANI

Our climate is changing. Humans are primarily responsible for harmful emissions and the destruction of ecosystems as we indiscriminately pollute our air, water, and soil.

The main driver is primarily the burning of fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil), which produce heat and trap heat between the ozone layer. This process significantly contributes to global warming, as evidenced by the record-breaking year in 2023. If concerted efforts are made soon to reduce the carbon footprint, it may be possible to turn the clock back.

The northern hemisphere is responsible for seventy percent of the catastrophe and damage caused by climate change, and the people most affected by the adverse conditions live in the global south. They are the least responsible for this phenomenon and, unfortunately, the least able to endure nature’s wrath.

Here are some things we can do individually to reduce our carbon footprint.

Reducing the use of fossil fuels would improve air quality and protect human and animal health.

Stop the wars which contribute to further destruction of the ozone layer besides unnecessary deaths. 

Stop idling engines. Carpool, bicycle, or walk if possible, and also get exercise and reduce expenses.

Stop illegal campfires. Even one tiny spark can start a wildfire that can burn for days and destroy hectares of land.

Stop using fireworks. Consider light shows which are less damaging to the environment and noise pollution.

Stop polluting our water system and recycle properly — stop using single-use plastics, and pull tabs off masks so marine life and wildlife don’t get tangled in them. Recycling reduces waste sent to landfills and prevents pollution. It conserves natural resources and energy.

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With regard to the worldwide use of plastics, The Philippines, the United States of America, India, Malaysia, and China are among the most prominent plastic polluters worldwide.

Rwanda, Kenya, Sweden, Tanzania, Norway, and Germany are the least. A 2019 Tanzanian government declaration states that “plastic carrier bags regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in Mainland Tanzania.” According to the New York Times, anyone in the country found producing or importing plastics faces a fine of 426,000 dollars, or a jail term of up to two years. Rwanda has banned the manufacturing, usage, import or sale of plastic bags since 2008. 

Canada recycles only 9% of its waste, whereas the rest goes into landfills. However, it wants to eradicate the use of plastic by 2030.

Cigarette butts contain tiny plastic fibres and “microplastic “ from synthetic clothing through washing. Fourteen million tons in our oceans yearly, particularly in the North Pacific Ocean — “The Pacific Patch.” Plastic can take up to 20-500 years to decompose, and even then, it never fully disappears.

In our small Ismaili community in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we recycle and reduce our garbage as best we can, and we are proud that our youth and Jamati members are involved and working hard at it. It may be noted that several steps have been taken in Jamatkhanas around Canada to reduce the use of plastic. Prince Hussain Aga Khan and his wife, Princess Fareen, have completely eliminated the use of plastics in their homes. As someone who deeply cares about the ocean and its creatures, the Prince laments: “Before, you didn’t see plastic in the sea. Now, it is everywhere. I see plastic each and every time I go on an expedition. In Egypt, in the Philippines, in Indonesia, in the Bahamas, in Sardinia…Wherever I go, I always find plastic.”

I invite readers to view the following paintings I completed in 2023 out of my concern about climate change and ocean pollution. Each image has an accompanying statement and can be clicked for enlargement.

1. “Global Pollution”  (16″ x 20″) Acrylic on canvas

Artist statement: It is gut-wrenching to witness the effects of humanity’s complacency in protecting and preserving our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Dumping undesirable waste products and harmful toxic materials has caused the demise of marine life and coral reefs, which provide excellent habitat and nourishment for many creatures that depend upon an enabling environment for their survival. In “Ocean Pollution,” she attempts to depict the types of pollutants found in the sea bed and their potential effects on marine life.  

The artist, through this work seeks to emphasize the urgent need for responsible waste management, and hopes that it will inspire hope and action in our audience, showing them that we can still protect and restore these precious marine ecosystems.

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2. “Force of Nature” (16″ x 20″) Acrylic on canvas

Artist statement: In December 2022, the ice storm Elliott hit the shores of Lake Erie with devastating consequences. A lot of the homes along the waterfront got pounded with 20 feet to 30 feet waves, and because of the frigid temperature and high winds, the water instantly froze on the roof to the base of the homes, completely covering them with ice and causing significant external and internal damage to the affected properties. Her rendering illustrates the impact on her neighbouring homes. The different ice formations and using minimal paint colours were a big challenge. 

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3. “Nature’s Fury” (16″ x 20″) Acrylic on canvas

Artist statement: The rising global temperatures have had an insurmountable and lasting impact on Mother Earth, demanding urgent action.  Some parts of the worldwide community, like Pakistan in 2022, where 35 million people were displaced, have had to deal with devastating rainfall and flooding. In parts of Africa, global warming has manifested itself in extreme dry conditions, causing hunger, famine, and the displacement of the masses.  Our country, Canada, has lost thousands of hectares to forest fires. Her rendering, Nature’s Fury, is a stark reminder of the ferocity and fury of such intense fire on our landscape. This is a call to action, a plea for us to act now to protect our planet.

Date posted: June 18, 2024.

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About the author: Mobina Marani, a woman with a passion for art, hails from Uganda. After completing her art education in England, she embarked on a new chapter in Canada in 1974. Settling in the picturesque Ridgeway/Crystal Beach area, she found herself managing a family business. It was here, amidst the joys of her first grandchild, Amarah, that she felt the urge to pick up the paintbrush again after a hiatus of 40 years. She created freehand renderings of her close family members and Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims.

Mobina has also taken the pressing issue of climate change and the disregard of Mother Earth to heart. Her series of paintings shown above depict the catastrophic consequences of our actions. Each stroke of her brush is a plea for change, a call to action. Mobina’s dedication to her cause is evident in her process. She does her portrait paintings by hand, without tracing or enhancing devices, referring only to a picture. She meticulously applies layer upon layer of acrylic paint until she is satisfied with the degree of perfection. 

Among the 11 portrait paintings, a truly unique tribute was crafted for Nurumasi, as she turned 100 in March 2020. Eight of Mobina’s remarkable pieces were showcased on this website in May 2022. Mobina has also shared an inspiring piece about her mom, Dolly Jamani’s unforgettable meeting with Mawlana Hazar Imam.