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Headline: A few degrees more.

Will turn the world into an uncomfortable place.

For years scientists have warned about an increase of the world's climate by over 1.5 °C. However, this information doesn't seem to be impacting most people's behavior towards climate change. Why? Because it seems an almost unnoticeable difference for many. It’s too abstract as a figure.
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To demonstrate the uncomfortable impact of just a few degrees more, the Leopold Museum has rotated paintings of landscapes and nature – from Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, and Gustave Courbet – by the exact amount that climate change will affect the regions they depict. And by doing so, demonstrated that a global increase of over 1.5 °C can have a devastating impact on our coasts, mountains, lakes and cities.

How famous paintings at the Leopold Museum help us learn about the effects of climate change that throw nature off balance.

Painting from Koloman Moser - Blick auf die Rax
1  of  15

VIEW OF RAX MOUNTAIN

(1907)
Koloman Moser

Even an increase of 1.5°C in the global average temperature would have particularly dire consequences for the Alps, as temperatures are rising almost twice as fast in Austria as compared to the global average. This would result in the disappearance of 50 % of the world’s glaciers. Many species of plants, including the spruce population on the lower elevations of the Rax, would be endangered, with hugely detrimental effects on Austria’s drinking water resources and forests.

What we can do about it:

Forests are precious reservoirs of carbon and water, and supply biomass. We must take targeted measures to protect them, for instance by extending protected areas and expanding a sustainable management of resources.

Painting from Gustav Klimt - Am Attersee
2  of  15

ON LAKE ATTERSEE

(1900)
Gustav Klimt

An increase of 2°C in the global average temperature until 2050 would have catastrophic consequences for the Attersee, which Klimt captured in this work in all its idyllic beauty, as temperatures are rising almost twice as fast in Austria as compared to the global average. Even a few degrees more would reduce oxygen levels in the water and could drive the lake to ecological collapse. Rising water temperatures would encourage algae bloom. This would affect the water quality and cause water levels to drop, gradually draining the beautiful blue lake.

What we can do about it:

The best way to tackle climate change and protect our lakes is to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Only if we reach our climate target of limiting global warming to under 1.5°C will the Attersee stand a chance in its current state.

Painting from Ludwig Heinrich Jungnickel - Das Gewitter
3  of  15

THE TEMPEST

(1913)
Ludwig Heinrich Jungnickel

An increase of 2°C in the global average temperature can lead to heavy rainfall in many parts of the world, including Austria. This may result in an increase in catastrophic extreme weather events, like the one depicted in this work.

If we stick to our climate target of +1.5°C as opposed to +2°C, we can significantly reduce the risk of such extreme weather and protect lives.

What we can do about it:

We must prepare today for future extreme weather phenomena. This means instructing people how to behave in emergencies, installing early warning systems and making sure that danger zones are taken into account in land-use planning.

Painting from Gustav Klimt - Obstgarten am Abend
4  of  15

ORCHARD IN THE EVENING

(1898)
Gustav Klimt

An increase of 3°C in the global average temperature until 2050 is a scenario that would subject agriculture in Central Europe to massive changes: periods of extreme heat and drought would alter the basic requirements for crop production. Species like the fruit trees in Gustav Klimt’s work, which have dominated the landscape and agriculture for centuries, could disappear from fields and farmland.

What we can do about it:

Changes in our own behavior can contribute to a reduction of overall greenhouse gas emissions, for instance with regards our consumption habits. Locally produced goods have shorter routes of transportation, making them more climate-friendly. Buying regional produce brings the added benefit of supporting local producers, who must, however, also ensure sustainable supply chains.

Painting from Egon Schiele - Die Häuseram Meer
5  of  15

HOUSES BY
THE SEA

(1914)
Egon Schiele

An increase of 3°C in the global average temperature would cause sea levels to rise by around 70 cm until 2100. While this might not sound like much, it would lead to a huge loss of inhabitable land mass, causing hundreds of millions of people to literally lose the ground beneath their feet. Schiele’s Houses by the Sea – no matter where they might be situated – would be gone.

What we can do about it:

In order to protect cities by the sea from global warming, we need to build embankments and walls. Amsterdam tackles the problem by installing blue-green roofs which have water reservoirs underneath the plant surface. However, in order to counteract the submergence of coastal areas in the long term, the rapid reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions remains indispensable.

Painting from Tina Blau-Lang - Motiv aus dem Prater
6  of  15

PRATER SCENE

(1910 - 1915)
Tina Blau-Lang

An increase of 4°C in the global average temperature until 2100 would have particularly dire consequences for cities like Vienna. Already over the past 30 years, the number of heat days in Vienna has more than doubled. This has a detrimental effect on human health and local recreation areas, such as the lush Vienna Prater once captured by Tina Blau-Lang. Most of the inner-city green spaces would dry up.

What we can do about it:

In order to counter rising temperatures in cities, we need to take adaptive action, implementing building insulation and revegetation programs as well as water-saving measures. The preservation of green spaces, acting as a city’s “green lungs”, provides the best heat protection in urban areas.

Painting from Egon Schiele - Versinkende Sonne
7  of  15

SETTING SUN

(1913)
Egon Schiele

An increase of 4°C in the global average temperature until 2100 would have serious consequences for the entire world, especially for vulnerable parts of the population. Life-threatening heat weaves are becoming increasingly common and ever more intense in Austria. Biospheres for humans and animals, like the one depicted in this work, would become smaller and smaller or even disappear altogether, while rising sea levels would force millions of people to migrate. Every tenth degree more speeds up this process.

What we can do about it:

The most important factor in the fight against global warming remains the rapid reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. We must facilitate a systematic and far-reaching switch to renewable energy systems. These bring additional environmental benefits, such as air pollution control.

Painting from Marie Egner - Motiv aus Venedig
8  of  15

MOTIF FROM VENICE

(~1890)
Marie Egner

An increase of 4°C in the global average temperature until 2100 could spell the end for Venice as we know it and as depicted in this work by Marie Egner. The rise in temperatures is already causing more frequent and unpredictable rainfall and floods. If we fail to reach our climate targets, the depicted motif could disappear completely – and with it, the entire city of Venice.

What we can do about it:

The most important factor in the fight against global warming remains the rapid reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. Venice is only a night train’s ride away from Vienna – using and expanding the existing public transport network is essential, as are adjustments to our individual travel behavior.

Painting from Koloman Moser - Regentag
9  of  15

RAINY DAY

(1914)
Koloman Moser

An increase of 5°C in the summer temperature in Austria until 2100 would have far-reaching consequences, especially for Alpine regions. For while a rise in temperatures would mean less overall rainfall in this region, there would be a massive increase in torrential downpours – idyllic rainy days, like the one depicted by Moser, would gradually be replaced by destructive storms. Over the past years, a growing number of inhabited areas in Europe were badly affected by flood disasters.

What we can do about it:

Climate change forces us to plan settlements with more foresight in order to protect living environments and industrial areas from extreme weather. Embankments and protective walls will help to defend us against heavy rainfall.

Painting from Emil Jakob Schindler - Meeresbrandung in Ragusa
10  of  15

SURF AT RAGUSA

(1887/88)
Emil Jakob Schindler

An increase of 5°C in the global average temperature would cause sea levels to rise by about 1m by 2100, destroying numerous inhabited areas. People would have to flee inland and our living space would decrease significantly. Meters-high waves would beat the shores during increasingly severe storms. Medicanes, the Mediterranean equivalent of tropical hurricanes, which are still rare today, could become more frequent, and certainly more intense and destructive.

What we can do about it:

Ocean warming is especially hard to reverse – which is why we must not let it happen in the first place. The rise in sea levels caused by climate change can only be slowed through a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Painting from Egon Schiele - Kleiner Baum im Spätherbst
11  of  15

SMALL TREE IN LATE AUTUMN

(1914)
Egon Schiele

An increase of 5°C in the global average temperature until 2100 would lead to a drastic shift in seasons on the Northern hemisphere. For global warming not only causes a rise in temperatures but also delays and shortens winter. This would have serious consequences for nature: Flowers would be pollinated too early, with sudden frosts damaging prematurely sprouting plants. Schiele’s Small Tree in Late Autumn would likely not survive a long drought.

What we can do about it:

Measures, including soil-friendly cultivation and the selection of resistant plants, are already necessary to address the impact of climate change. We can put things right by affording more space to plants and animals, and by protecting them for their own sake rather than on account of their utility.

Painting from Gustave Courbet - Küstenlandschaft
12  of  15

COASTAL LANDSCAPE

(1866)
Gustave Courbet

An increase of 5°C in the global average temperature until 2100 would cause the chalk cliffs on the coast of Normandy, captured by Courbet, to nearly disappear. This beautiful natural spectacle is already in danger. Rising sea levels and heavy rainfall caused by climate change would not only force millions of people away from the coast in the future, but are already causing these impressive chalk cliffs to crumble.

What we can do about it:

Every single step towards reducing one’s own carbon footprint helps to protect our climate overall. We need to fundamentally change our mobility behavior and use the most climate-friendly mode of transport wherever possible.

Painting from Richard Gerstl - Bauerngarten mit Zaun
13  of  15

COUNTRY GARDEN WITH FENCE

(1907)
Richard Gerstl

An increase of 6°C in the summer temperature in Austria until 2100 could spell the end for idyllic gardens like this one rendered by Richard Gerstl. Prolonged periods of hot weather and drought during the summer months make life difficult for plants that need a lot of water to grow. Mild weather during the winter encourages pest insects from abroad to infest local plants and to proliferate.

What we can do about it:

In order to protect our gardens, all urban areas should systematically implement the construction model of sponge cities. The adoption of blue-green infrastructure, such as expanses of water and urban parks, is a significant step towards active climate adaptation.

Painting from Tina Blau-Lang - Apfelblüten
14  of  15

APPLE BLOSSOMS

(~1890)
Tina Blau-Lang

An increase of 6°C in the summer temperature in Austria until 2100 would lead to a massive and rapid shift in vegetation. Species of animals and plants that rely on specific climatic conditions would be unable to adapt to their changed environment. This would result in a huge decline in biodiversity.

What we can do about it:

A widespread expansion of climate-friendly and climate change-resistant forms of farming is necessary for the preservation of biodiversity. The establishment of protected areas is also important.

Painting from Albin Egger-Lienz - Knabe an der Quelle
15  of  15

BOY AT THE SPRING

(1923)
Albin Egger-Lienz

An increase of 7°C in the summer temperature in Austria would lead to protracted heat waves in the summer and would cause wells – like this one depicted by the painter Egger-Lienz in his native East Tyrol – to dry up. Glaciers that are already melting today, would disappear completely and deprive these regions of melt water, leaving a surface of loose rocks. Heavy downpours and hailstorms would cause these rocks to come crashing down as mudslides, making entire valleys uninhabitable.

What we can do about it:

By encouraging and nurturing healthy mixed forests, which are resistant to climate-change and planted for protection, we can save our valleys. In our everyday lives, too, we should always aim to conserve resources like water. The most important factor against glacier melting remains the reduction of CO₂.

Still think that more than 1.5° is not much?

See What could happen