"Honor and Trust"

• This mural in New Zealand depicts several endangered or threatened marine mammals including the New Zealand Sea Lion, Southern Elephant Seal, and Maui Dolphin. 
• The mural highlights a variety of issues that are endangering these animals such as habitat destruction, a lack of food, and overfishing. 

Positives

• This piece of climate art could serve as a great discussion starter and ignite passion on the implications of climate change. 
• The gallery features multiple images of Flox creating this work.  

Additional Prerequisites

• The artist's statement explains the array of issues facing these marine mammals and gives further meaning to her mural. 

• It may help to give students background information on the particular species represented in the mural. 

Differentiation

• Students could be given an opportunity to explore the mural using the embedded Google Maps link. 
• In pairs or small groups, students could participate in discussions using guided questions about their reflections on the mural.
  
• In art classes, students could exhibit their own reflections on climate change through the creation of their own drawings or paintings.
  
• Other resources on this topic include this artwork by Jill Pelto which was inspired by the need to protect our oceans, this article about the massive decline in wild animal populations, and this podcast that explains the connection between unsustainable fishing practices and the destruction of ocean ecosystems.