One of the largest and most diverse American museums, New York’s American Museum of Natural History has unveiled its newest environmental exhibit, Climate Change: The Threat to Life and a New Energy Future.

Several exhibits educate viewers about environmental mistreatment and conservation programs that limit destructive impacts and increase habitat for flora and fauna. Showcasing species preservation, the exhibits educate visitors on how human development decreases biodiversity and changes ecosystems.

Visitors described the new additon as “eye opening and sobering,” according to Katy Mantyk a reporter covering the opening for the Epoch Times.

The exhibit opens with a 60-foot timeline that illustrates how human development has changed the planet since the species appeared on the planet, including the largest contribution to global climate change, the Industrial Revolution. Juxtaposed against the  development timeline is a measurement of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Interpretative pieces includes interactive videos and stations that show how human development has contributed to excess carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and heating of the Earth.

To grab the hearts and minds of visitors, the exhibit presents possible outcomes of climate change impacts at varying degrees: what could result if no action is taken or if some action is taken. Visitors can see scientific best estimates of how communities will experience increased droughts, severe weather like hurricanes and blizzards, reductions in water supply, sea level rise and destruction of habitats and ecosystems as sensitive flora and fauna become stressed by changing climate patterns.

Curators present solutions for both individual citizens and big business, showing how America can decrease its use of fossil fuels for energy, and replace those supplies with renewable energy options like wind or solar power.  

The exhibit ends by capturing visitor questions, comments and fears on a 12-foot comment wall. One child wrote, “Since trees are able to absorb so much C02, why not plant a whole bunch out in space, and let them do the work?” Exhibit mission complete.