At a time when melting polar sea ice is causing so many to focus on which political power will place its flag over the Arctic, controlling the Northwest Passage shipping lanes and the petroleum resources beneath the sea ice, Miami artist Xavier Cortada has developed a project that engages people across the world below to plant a green flag and native tree to help address global climate change. Reforestation helps prevent the polar regions from melting.

 

On June 29th, 2008, Cortada arrived at the North Pole and planted a green flag, signalling to folks from around the world  to also plant a green flag and native tree in their communities. (Community leaders can model the behavior by planting a native tree and green flag at their science centers and city halls.)

 

The conspicuous green flag serves as a catalyst for conversations with neighbors and a call to action to help rebuild our native tree canopy.

While the installations at the North Pole are about having us think globally, Cortada has developed "Native Flags," a participatory eco-art project that engages individuals across the globe to act locally.