Prompt: Describe or narrate a scenario about an advertisement found a generation into a future in which “progress” has continued. Your description should address issues related to climate and elicit feelings of awkwardness.

I wasn’t entirely certain on how to start this project so I looked for a few advertisements that were relating to the changing climate and the impact that human activity has had on wildlife. I found the advertisement above relating to the disappearing sea life created by the WWF and so I chose to use this as my starting point.

The year is 2040 and it has been a particularly lean year for fishing, much like the last 15 years have been. The usual haul of fish has dwindled to 10% globally of what was once pulled from the oceans 40 years ago. Those who once relied on the ocean for food and for work are no being forced to live in abject poverty due to a total inability to supply their families with either food or income.

A can of tuna now costs $47.00 at a minimum and is now a key element to fine dining meals as it has become almost impossible to catch the large and now elusive fish. As always, the wealthiest people in the world want to have what is hardest to come by. Where once a tuna casserole was the meal of the working class on a Wednesday night, it is now the meal of the bourgeoisie and their ilk.

A popular ad is floating around on the internet. On it is depicted a fishing rod on a slab table at the morgue. The advertisement is focused around a “toe tag” attached to the handle of the fishing rod. The tag reads, “Name of deceased: The art of fishing, Estimated age: 70,000 years, Cause of Death: Humanity.” The advertisement has grown in popularity and is a consistent reminder of what once available to the previous generation not only for recreation but also as a means for providing sustenance for a family. Experts agree that there has been an irreversible amount of damage done and no amount of fishing restrictions will bring back the once bountiful oceans to their previous quantities. Not only has the overfishing killed the populations, but so has the rising temperature of the water causing mass die offs of species.

References:

D, L. (2014, May 29). 40 Of The Most Powerful Social Issue Ads That’ll Make You Stop And Think. Bored Panda. https://www.boredpanda.com/powerful-social-advertisements/

Lab, S. (n.d.). The Thing From The Future. Situation Lab. https://situationlab.org/project/the-thing-from-the-future/