This is an edited version of the report that was presented to the Gallery Climate Coalition in Los Angeles, California.
At Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego we believe that the choices we make together can have a profound impact on the future of our ocean planet. Birch Aquarium currently hosts Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen, one of six locations of the broader Embodied Pacific exhibition created in partnership with the UC San Diego Visual Arts Department for Getty’s PST Art: Art & Science Collide. In order to align our exhibition with our institutional values, we participated in the PST ART Climate Impact Program. This report summarizes the team’s experiences, challenges and successful outcomes of that program.
The PST ART Climate Impact Program is a groundbreaking integration of climate action, community building and data reporting as part of Getty's landmark recurring arts event, PST ART, which brings together more than 70 exhibiting institutions throughout Southern California for Art & Science Collide. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography participated in this program throughout planning and installing the exhibition Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen as part of PST Art: Art & Science Collide. Through careful planning, tracking our emissions, engaging all of our stakeholders and actively working to reduce waste, Birch Aquarium successfully reduced the overall climate impact of this exhibition.
For the PST ART Climate Impact Report, we tracked our emissions involved in every part of the process and sought ways to reduce emissions whenever possible. We found the majority of our emissions came from the energy used to power our exhibit space. To ensure accuracy in our tracking, we worked with our Animal Care Team to gather data and calculate the actual energy consumption for the animal habitats within the exhibit gallery, as well as the energy use of lights and projectors. From this, we estimated the projected energy usage for the duration of the exhibition (one year plus one additional month).
The second largest source of emissions comes from international air travel for one of our artists and their partner. It was surprising to see the significant impact that a single flight can have on carbon emissions. The final two categories contributing to our overall emissions were road shipping and other travel.
For this project, we prioritized using sustainable materials and methods. We experimented with alternatives like wallpaper paste instead of plastic-based adhesives and produced many components in-house. Designs were modular, made for disassembly or permanence, and replicable — like benches and headsets — using sustainable, traditional materials that future teams could reuse. This approach reduced costs and minimized waste while saving future design time.
The process taught us valuable new skills. Sustainability challenged us to think creatively, breaking from “how it’s always been done” to explore innovative solutions. Collaborating with artists brought fresh perspectives, though not all were equally open to sustainability. One challenge was the extra time required to research and test alternatives. Using conventional materials like PVC vinyl would have been quicker, but we deliberately made time to explore better options. In doing so, we scaled up our knowledge, tools and team, adding new expertise and fostering flexibility for future projects.
Participating in the Climate Impact Program deepened our commitment to sustainability while expanding our creativity and adaptability. We learned that pursuing environmentally friendly practices requires time and effort to research alternatives and break from familiar methods, but the rewards are significant. By focusing on sustainability, we developed new skills, gained insights from collaborating with diverse artists, and discovered innovative approaches to design and production.
The program reinforced that sustainable choices can be cost-effective and practical, often relying on traditional, accessible materials. It encouraged us to think beyond immediate solutions and design with longevity and multi-generational use in mind. This shift not only reduced waste but also improved our processes and tools, setting us up for future success.
Ultimately, the Climate Impact Program taught us that prioritizing sustainability isn’t just about materials—it’s about changing mindsets, fostering flexibility, and embracing innovation to make a meaningful, lasting impact.
The report was collaboratively developed by Megan Dickerson, Director of Exhibits, and Tina Mau, Manager of Exhibit Development. Megan brought her expertise in sustainability and actively engaged with external partners through Climate Consortium of Los Angeles Area Museums (CCLAM) meet-ups. Tina played a crucial role in meticulously itemizing every component used in the exhibit, right down to the screws, and took the lead in calculating the project’s emissions. Her detailed approach ensured that all aspects of the project’s environmental impact were thoroughly documented. The process involved close collaboration between Megan and Tina, combining Megan’s strategic vision with Tina’s precision in data collection and analysis. They held regular meetings to discuss progress, share findings, and integrate their respective contributions seamlessly. Tina also worked closely with team members in Husbandry and Animal Care to gather necessary data.
Embodied Pacific features projects by thirty artists working with researchers in laboratories, field sites, and archives in SoCal and the Pacific Islands. This partnership between UC San Diego Visual Arts and Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego invites immersive engagement in oceanography, Indigenous design, and critical craft through exhibitions, workshops, and programs at six venues.
Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen invites you to explore Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Indigenous science through the eyes of contemporary artists. These installations offer guests the chance to engage in scientific exploration through immersive, interactive experiences. Collectively, the exhibition asks us to consider how ocean science technology is not just about “high-tech” but also very much about the tools we use to shape our understanding of the ocean’s unseen mysteries. Eighteen artists across 10 projects come together in one immersive exhibition.
About Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Birch Aquarium features the groundbreaking work of Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego scientists as well as conservation breeding programs and interactive exhibits. Birch Aquarium’s mission is to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet, which it achieves through engaging hands-on learning opportunities for more than 500,000 guests and 40,000-plus pre-K-12 students each year. Visit aquarium.ucsd.edu for more information.
