How Might We Adapt?

Description

Through the semester I developed the experience of a futuristic health office called "Adapt" that helps Maine residents cope with hazardous environmental changes through adaptive surgeries. Adaptations like gills and philangical webs, that help reduce the chances of drowning during frequent storm surges. Esophageal filters that help remove sodium and parasites from now salinated and parasite infested groundwater. Basal Temperature monitors that help keep your internal body temperature within a healthy range as rising temperatures put many in danger of heat exhaustion or strokes. "Adapt" takes place around the year 2100, patients can book appointments and check in through an app. Within the app, they can also see what surgeries are recommended for where they live and log their symptoms. While in the waiting room, they would have access to many informational posters, educational flyers to look at during their wait.

My goal within this project was not only to educate on the future dangers of climate change but to make it more personal and induce empathy by making it an experience and bringing it to a local level. I feel fortunate to have had a semester to explore a topic I feel so passionate about and to have months to evaluate research and educate myself on things I did not know about climate change in Maine. It has been rewarding to spend time with such a heavy topic but I also look forward to the opportunities design will give me in the future to explore and research other topics that will expand my knowledge, networks, and interests.