The Making of an Arctic Time Capsule
The Frame: The capsule’s frame is made of titanium, a very long-lasting, inert material. All the bolts and nuts are made from titanium as well. Inscribed on the inert titanium ring that encircles the capsule are the words: Project Aurora 2013 | Save the Arctic | and a quote from award-winning author Arundhati Roy: “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
The Anchor: The anchor is made of iron. Iron is ever-present in the environment of the Arctic seabed. After many years, in roughly 2050, the iron will rust, and the time capsule will surface. By this time we’ll know how humans have responded to the threat of climate change. Scientists say that by this date, human civilisation needs to have reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by around 80% if we want to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
The Sphere: The glass capsule itself is fashioned from high quality, pressure resistant vitrovex glass that becomes even stronger with the pressure that comes from deep water. The glass sphere and titanium frame have positive buoyancy, so they float above the anchor, hovering just over the anchor in the icy Arctic Ocean. Inside the sphere, there is a vaccum.
The cassette holder: Is made of titanium. It sits inside the vacuous sphere, enclosing a total of eight cassettes.
The cassettes: Eight cassettes hold the signatures of 2.7 million Arctic defenders, illustrations, political declarations, a microscope to read the names, a USB stick holding 4500 PDFs with the signatures, and a satin flag for the future. The text and illustrations were laser-engraved with a special high-tech nanoform technology.
The flag: A titanium and wax reproduction of the winning flag for the future adorns the top of the time capsule. It was designed by Sarah Batrisyia, a 13-year old Malaysian Girl Guide who won the global competition, co-hosted by Greenpeace and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The flag, which was chosen by fashion icon Vivienne Westwood, is intended to symbolise hope, global unity and peace.
2013-04-07 11:46:23
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