Sue R. has just finished her Global Warming Doll and here is what Sue has to say about the doll and its meaning:
"Her name is "Ghost Turtle Mother". She represents the potential loss of the majority of turtle species worldwide and in dramatically different environments, due to global warming. Her final layer consists of turtle ghosts cut from mica. These nearly transparent ghosts are difficult to photograph. There are 16 ghosts altogether.
Turtle species are threatened in all corners of the world.Sea turtles will lose most of their nesting beaches to higher sea levels. Because female turtles return to the beach where they were hatched to lay their eggs, there will be little movement of nesting beaches. In addition, a very small rise (as little as 2 to 5 degrees F.) in nest temperature will result in almost all female hatchlings, seriously threatening reproduction. It has also been shown that a couple of degrees rise in the temperature of sea water greatly increases the growth of a particular form of cancerous tumors that grow on the faces and mouths of sea turtles. Kelp is dependent on a narrow range of water temperature. Juvenile turtles are believed, by many, to spend years in kelp forests before they reach adulthood. Loss of juvenile habitat is just one more threat.
On land, and in fresh water, global warming also threatens turtle species. Nest temperature affects gender in land and fresh water turtles as well as sea turtles, resulting in all female nests. Since many fresh water, and land turtles are herbivores, the loss of pollinators due to global warming could drastically reduce the supply of fruit, like the Opuntia fruit on the desert side of the doll, and other plant material, making it harder for them to find enough food. Turtle migration northward appears to have already begun. However, turtles move slowly, and might not be able to move far enough north in time. In addition, migration would, in many parts of the world, necessitate crossing roadways, which would produce a serious threat from cars.
The possibility of the loss of most of the world's turtles to global warming is a very real threat. They've been around for over 300 million years, and could be gone in a matter of decades.
I tried to make my doll of all natural materials, but had to make 2 exceptions. Her body is made of 100% wool felt, and stuffed with recycled wool roving. The beads used (except for her faces, whose content I don't know) are glass. The turtle "ghosts" are cut from mica. She is sewn with nylon thread, a necessary material to insure that she lasts a long time.
I hope you like her as much as I enjoyed making her."
