The Earth’s resources are not infinite, so sustainability is the biggest challenge for humankind in the 21st century. This section shows how Taiwan’s museums have given full play to the important role of science museums on contemporary environmental issues and seek to raise public awareness through exhibits and demonstrations.
Instead of focusing on scientific information, we use visual presentations and narratives to tell the story of the environmental cost we pay in exchange for economic development. The plight of people who suffer the consequences is shown in large black-and-white images to lend more urgency to this story of constant violence against the environment and to provoke an emotional reaction in the viewer.
In the last 50 years, overfishing has also led to another challenge regarding the sustainability of food sources. Science museums have held a variety of events to call on the public to be a responsible seafood consumer in order to sustain the marine system. In dealing with these various environmental protection issues, Taiwan’s museums always place the emphasis on “getting the facts straight”.
1 Jonathan Watts, The Guardian’s Asia environmental correspondent.
