Limbo: How Low Can You (Make Sea Level) Go?

* INDIVIDUAL IMPACT PROJECT AS PART OF INTERNSHIP WITH OCEAN UPRISE X PARLEY FOR THE OCEANS

multi-disciplinary design / graphic / education / industrial / event / environmental management / sustainability

[ 2023 ]

  • As part of a six-week internship with Ocean Uprise x Parley for the Oceans, we were tasked with creating and implementing an individual impact project which involved our local community in an activity that promotes activism for our oceans.

  • 'How Low Can You Go?' becomes 'How Low Can You (Make Sea Level) Go?'

    By connecting the concept of limbo with SLR projections, passers-by are introduced or reminded of the seriousness of SLR, in a fun & approachable manner to enhance community action without fear-mongering or inducing panic.

    • The health of the environment is in limbo. Sea Level Rise is both a symptom of environmental degradation, and a threat to inhabitants on land and sea. Did that scare you into action? Or make you freeze? Let’s try something else: shake out your muscles, let loose, and see how low you can (make sea level) go with a game of limbo. 

  • Using knowledge gained from my Bachelor's degree in Environmental Management, sustainable design principles were at the forefront of each design element.

    Keep scrolling to read in more detail :)

    • Around 50 strangers let their curiosity get the best of them, by wandering over and participating in the game.

    • Many conversations were held with kids & adults alike, about the health of the oceans, SLR, and what that means for themselves, and other communities.

    • Participants left feeling more empowered & inspired, without the usual daunting messaging of environmental activism.

    • Plus, due to the generous donations by the local gelateria, Bottega, and coffee shop, Malobo, the 2nd and 3rd prize winners walked away with a bit more than inspiration!

    • And, largely due to the generous prize donations, final expenses totaled 62% of the allocated budget.

“A great idea to list different locations around the world with the limbo levels. It made it fun and educational at the same time.”

  • FATHER OF A PARTICIPANT

The Deliverables:

Project Design

    • Bamboo limbo structure: water-efficient, fast-growing, organic, produces more O2 & absorbs more Co2 than traditional wood options. [ Also became plant stakes at home afterwards :) ]

    • Steel stabilisers for limbo poles: scrap steel bars that my Dad has re-welded 4x for various projects (circular design). Used to ensure limbo structure didn't collapse :)

    • A2 Signboards: 4 compostable boards with latex inks {read why here}, printed locally at Terry Howe Printing, hung back-to-back to ensure visibility of both signs at every angle of the beach.

    • Hired steel sign stands: budget-friendly & with circular economy in mind.

    • SLR 2050 projection tags attached at each limbo level: helps participants to contexualise/visualise the impact of SLR

    • A2 Sign designs: Heavily inspired by 60s-70s tropical travel graphic designs - Limbo originated in Trinidad & Tobago, and island nations are most at risk of SLR consequences.

    • Infographic Design featured locally & globally relevant information: incl. 2050 SLR map projections for the beach the event was held, & steps participants can take to help the cause.

    • Follow-up emails designed to notify winners & remind participants of the important takeaways.

    • 1st: free ticket to a kayak tour of a local mangrove and dolphin sanctuary estuary, to encourage learning about the importance of mangroves.

    • 2nd: $25 to spend on gelati, courtesy of Henley Beach's Bottega Gelateria (the best & most authentic gelato in ADL).

    • 3rd: 3 free coffees, courtesy of Henley Beach's Malobo café.

    • Limbo playlist to set the mood: think Bob Marley, Sebastien the Crab's limbo rendition, Stevie Wonder & steel drums.

From strangers to community: