Infinite Growth
The installation consists of ceramic objects in the form of mangrove roots. Flagpoles with hoisted flags sprout from the roots. The flag of Indonesia is red at the top and white at the bottom; all other flags come from industrialized countries.
Many of the industrialized countries, once colonial powers, have pledged to become climate neutral in order to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees.
The term "climate neutral" is not protected. A company or product is considered CO₂/climate neutral if it does not cause any climate-damaging emissions or if, as in most cases, any greenhouse gases produced are offset by certified compensation projects. The services behind the certificates are often outsourced to the Global South.
In recent years, a very confusing, speculative capital market has developed here. Traditionally, trees such as mangroves are planted or potentially endangered forest areas are placed under protection. "Saved" forest areas are very often located in inaccessible places and are not acutely endangered by deforestation anyway. A planted tree must grow to its natural end in order to achieve its full CO2 offsetting potential. Once it has been included in a balance, it should theoretically be excluded from all subsequent balances.
As the standards are currently so low, it is very easy for countries and companies to engage in greenwashing by supposedly offsetting CO2 emissions. Not all organizations that certify certificates are also recognized by the UN, and it is unclear whether current standards also provide long-term legal certainty.