The year is 2196. Earth’s stratosphere was significantly depleted of ozone and we lost the main shield of our protection against the UV rays of the sun. Somehow the lower atmosphere has remained. While we can’t figure out how, we’re certainly lucky for it because without it there would be no pressure, oxygen, liquid, or sound. Nothing would have survived. We’re not sure how long we have left though as things are pretty unstable. Humanity has finally experienced the long warned fall out from the effects of our greed and ignorance on our environment. In order to survive, we’ve had to borrow very specific adaptations of other species who were already living in extreme environments and are much better suited for the elements.

This is the second installment of my Future Scenarios prosthetic makeup project. I specifically wanted to showcase the biological adaptations of other species and highlight what we might be doing to ourselves and our planet if we do not come back to the very core of our nature, which is - we are nature. We are not separate from the observable world around us. Everything is intertwined, from the deserts to the deepest parts of the ocean. Earth is one giant organism, and we are only parts of the greater whole. As the top apex predators of this planet due to our intellect, tools, and technology, our actions have a serious impact on the entire biosphere. Instead of pretending and denying our very nature and destroying our home, I believe our future depends on us returning to the role of stewards of this strange and perfect planet. Do you think we will? Shout out to the Australian thorny devil and the bearded dragon!