Pollution Pods Exhibited in London

Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. simulate / ˈsɪm yəˌleɪt / (v) – to recreate an environment or a situation
    Example:

    The virtual reality room simulates the outer space.


  2. smog / smɒg, smɔg / (n) – a combination of smoke and fog
    Example:

    A lot of smog is present in cities with many factories.


  3. purify / ˈpyʊər əˌfaɪ / (v) – to remove dirt or pollutants
    Example:

    I bought a device that can purify the air.


  4. visual arts / ˈvɪʒ u əl ɑrts / (n) – works of art that are created to stimulate one’s sense of sight
    Example:

    I plan to enroll in a visual arts program to improve my skills as a painter.


  5. resonate / ˈrɛz əˌneɪt / (v) – to create positive feelings
    Example:

    The campaign’s message resonated with me.


Article

Read the text below.

An installation called Pollution Pods was featured in London to recreate the most and least polluted cities in the world.


Designed by artist Michael Pinsky, the Pollution Pods were made of five interconnected small domes that visitors can visit. The domes simulated different environmental conditions in New Delhi, São Paulo / ˈsaʊ ˈpaʊ loʊ /, London, Beijing, and Norway’s Tautra [toh-truh]. The climate in each pod was controlled to specifically reflect the cities’ temperature, air quality, and scent.


To recreate New Delhi’s poor air quality, three column heaters and a smog-producing machine were used. São Paulo’s polluted atmosphere was imitated by applying an ethanol-based fuel that powers many vehicles. A scent called “Living Diesel” filled the London pod because cars are believed to be the leading cause of pollution in the city.


While the Beijing dome was not as polluted as the others, the Tautra dome was the one that stood out the most because it was the cleanest of all. It used a technology that purifies the air, which made sure that the Tautra dome was free from pollutants like nitrogen dioxide.


The Pollution Pods exhibit, which took place in time for Earth Day in April, was Pinsky’s collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The project aimed to examine the effects of visual arts on climate change perceptions.


Gillian Benjamin, one of the domes’ visitors, attested to the exhibit’s impact on raising awareness of air pollution. He shared that the differences in the domes’ environmental conditions are something that would resonate with the audience.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you be interested to see the Pollution Pods exhibit? Why or why not?
• What other cities do you think the Pollution Pods should simulate? Explain.

Discussion B

• Do you find visual arts effective in educating people on environmental issues? Explain.
• What other innovations do you think can resonate with people when addressing environmental issues? Why?