Greenstorm

THE GREEN STORM 2014 concept and works by: Benedict Endler, Matilde Igual, Adrijan Karavdic performed by: Anna-Sophie Fritz, Rafael Bettschart and Florian Bรถsel

GE

NER

A L ASS

LY B EM

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD 22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

Synopsis The Green Storm The future of our planet is in your hands.

A participatory performance and cross-media installation on environmentalism, power, scientific models, fiction and decision-mak-

A scenography simulating a meeting of high-profile world leaders, where the assistants are asked to participate voicing their opinions and discussing among themselves until reaching consensus.

Vienna, 23 june 2014 While the 1st International General Assembly Summit for a Sustainable World is taking place in Vienna, a group of eco-activists (or eco-terrorists), known as The Storm, launches an attack on Manhattan and a threat to the planet.

The world leaders attending the summit in Vienna are to talke a decision upon the Storm’s ultimatum.

Process

The Play

Mrs. Sharp: Distinguished participants, Ladies and gentlemen, Yesterday’s monstrous terrorist attack, has forced us to suspend all scheduled meetings at the International General Assembly Summit for a Sustainable World, In this solemn hour, time is running fast, we have now come to discuss this specific issue, The threat posed yesterday in Manhattan, might be the biggest, humanity had to face. It is now the moment to mobilize all energies in a single direction, It is well known that today, at 24:00 continental time, a terrifying event has ravaged the island of Manhattan, a yet-to-be identified organic entity, with the appearance of a plant, has, in just some hours, taken over the totality of the infrastructures of the island: roads, buildings, bridges…

The Terrorist group The Storm has claimed authorship for the action through a video release.

We will watch now the footage, and then, comment on the possible measures the advisory board has elaborated.

---------------VIDEO---------------------------------------------------------This is an unprecedented delegation. The leaders of the world are gathered here to decide upon this pressing issue. We must not underrate the gravity of the task which lies before us or the temerity of the ordeal.

By the end of the hour, this delegation has to take a decision, a decision that will forever change the world as we know it. It will be the most difficult task humans ever confronted, but let me remind you, that you have the responsibility, given to you by nearly 8 billion citizens, from every corner of the Planet, to choose the fate of our societies, As many of you might already have read, a Call for Peace has been released this morning, signed by a number of highly influential opinion leaders, and published worldwide by the main newspapers. In it, concern for the situation is expressed, and it urges the Summit representatives to meet the demands of The Storm. The call seems to overlook the humanitarian cost implicit in the demands of the terrorists and the impact such a brutal change in our economic system will have on the lives of all citizens. We shall however, not forget, the great effect this Call for Peace has on the public opinion.

Here are some excerpts from it: “Peacemaking calls for courage, much more so than warfare. It calls for the courage to say yes to encounter and no to conflict, yes to dialogue and no to violence, yes to negotiations and no to hostilities, yes to respect for agreements and no to acts of provocation, yes to sincerity and no to duplicity.”

Our response to the ultimatum needs to be unambiguous and firm. The advisory board has thus prepared two presentations. The two options presented, add on to the

one exposed on the press release Call for Peace.

First, let’s hear General Mr. Pierce, current Chairman of the Military Committee, and former Head of Operations at the NATO Defense Against Terrorism Excellence Center.

General Pierce: Well ladies and gentleman. We are running out of time.

I won´t bother you with intel details, because it really doesn't matter at the moment.

The terrorists got us with our pants down. And either way you turn it, it ain't pretty.

Our models show that if we give in to their demands, hell is breaking loose.

Economy all around the globe will hit rock bottom.

First, factories will stop working and billions of people will get unemployed, then transport will evaporate into thin air, drastic food shortages will do the rest.

Even with the existing alternative energy sources, we will be blown back into the middle ages. In virtually every country there will be a civil war like situation, for the last drops of oil, water and food.

And if we let this freaking plant go loose the consequences will be even worse.

This bio-weapon wont stop at nuclear power plants and our Missile launch facilities.

We are talking about a major nulear catastrophy.

There is a fair chance that the terrorists are bluffing, considering the enormouse destructive force they unleash upon the environment they so much pretend to protect.

At this moment we neither know where they are nor where these damn plants are hidden.

As far as I can see it, we have one choice, and one choice only. Bundle our efforts to find this bastards and bring them down. And if they really release the plant we still got an ace up our sleeves. The US army deviced a Biochemical weapon, that destroys all organic matter in a controlled radius and has a lifespan of 24 hours. Evacuation plans are already running but we can't ensure that we can bring out everybody in time. The casualties will be moderate considering the global scale. 50 000... 1 Million tops. I know that non of you wants to go down into the textbooks, as being the ones that caused the death of thousands of civilians, but we have to think of the greater good. As I said, most likely we don't have to face this option but we should be prepared. We can't show weakness and as history has shown negotiate with Terrorists is futile. Think of the lives that you save and the generations to come. It´s our only way to survive.

Mrs. Sharp: After General Mr. Pierce’s exposé, we will now have the honor to listen to Dr.Spencer,

Dr.Spencer: Thank you Ms. Sharp. What we have seen happening in Manhattan seems to be an extremely advanced technology. Even though I have been researching on the acceleration of growth processes, my entire live, I have never seen something that elaborate. I was not able to take Samples on my own, but by the looks of it and the data that was send to me, it appears to be a genetically modified vascular plant out of the family of the Paleontrdopus Diolysilus. It shows a combination of features that seem to be taken from the Bambuseae plants or possible a fungi in its first state of development. That basically means that the plants absorbs surrounding materials, so the cells expand rapidly, making it burst out of the ground in a very short time period. In this case it looks like it incorporates the silicates and oxides of concrete or rather the cement. In its second live cycle ‌.

General: *hrpp* Dr. Spencer: ähmm.. sorry.

Either way. This plant is growing 900 times faster then Bamboo. We estimate that it even is twice as fast in the first live cycle. There are many theories circulation in the scientific community, how that even is possible, but to be honest there seems to be no rational explanation for this till now. The vascular system seems equally astonishing. The roots are specifiably extending in cement structures. They seem to nourish on them and decomposing them in the process. They literally are designed to devouring man made structures. Till this point we can not predict what the following live cycle of the plant may be, but as we have seen in Manhattan, they don't seem to reproduce through spores, because they have not expanded over Manhattan Island.

So far the plant appears to be resistant to all our attempts to destroy them with herbicides. They are vulnerable to fire, as any other plant, but in the long run they always manged to recuperate, because new plants appeared.

Time is a pressing issue here, but in my opinion we should not give up on the hope of finding a non violent solution. So far we know very little about this organism and it might be that our attempts to stop it, may even make it stronger. If we follow the advice of the general and really use this biochemical weapon, we run the risk of not only killing all the people that could not been evacuated, but also end up in the same situation as before, because the plant may find a way to survive this attacks. There are still a lot of measures, that we have not tried or even considered. What is this weapon you talking about anyway? Has it been tested in urban environments? What if there is some unforeseen chain reaction?

General: I am not at liberty to reveal this information. But I assure you that it is save.

Dr. Spencer: A safe weapon ‌ That sounds reassuring.

Mrs. Sharp: GENTELMEN Dr. Spencer: Where was I ...

As horrible as the effects of the plant may be, I see a tremendous potential in them.

Gaining the knowledge of the inner workings of this organism may solve many problems humanity has faced. Its enormous speed of development, holds the potential to end world hunger, to create self growing buildings. In fact the possibilities seem endless.

General: hmmm...

Dr. Spencer: In any case I urge you to trust in the knowledge of the global scientific community.

Attacking the plant just like that may be the worst of all options. All around the world scientist from every field collaborate to find a suitable solution to fight this organism and this solution might be easier then we think. All we need is a little bit more time.

Mrs. Sharp: Thank you Mr. Pierce, Thank you Dr.Spencer.

And now your turn has come, you will consider the three options with your team members. Our three consultants will help you go through the data collected on these folders. Within ten minutes you will have to make a decision to be presented by the spokesperson of each group.

Please consider aspects such as humanitarian costs, as well as economic and financial considerations, environmental impact, citizens and public opinion response.

The future of the World is in your hands.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Let’s voice everyone’s opinion. You have each one minute time to explain your view on the crisis and which would be the best solution.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PASS MUST BE VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES

OBSERVERS TITLE

SURNAME

T

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Now that all the parties present have reached an agreement...

The General Assembly has decided thus, that the parties we represent, fully committed to the resolution: – Agree to the demands of the organisation the Storm, – Declare war to the organisation the Storm and its potential allies, – Opt for non-violent action, focused on the development and implementation of a scientific solution,

(a paper is brought and Mrs- Sharp reads outloud) (The General Assembly.....)

Should anyone find any objections to the present resolution...?

No? Good.

I will ask then, the spokespersons to sign the resolution.

Ladies and Gentlemen, May god be with us. … *Hand shaking*

J. RES. 01

International General Assembly Emergency Session

GE

NER

A L ASS E M

BLY

WE THE HEads of sTaTE and GovErnmEnT, and HEads of dElEGaTion in viEnna on 23 JunE 2014, aT THE firsT EmErGEnCY sEssion,

JOINT RESOLUTION Declaring that a State of War exists between the terrorist organisation The Storm and its Allies and The Governments of the Nations of the World and their people and making provision to prosecute the same,

ry board so vi

C E 2 012

PICS/20/01*/& 23 June 2014

Resolved by the General Assembly, That the state of war between The Governments of the Nations of the World and the Terrorist Organisation The Storm which has thus been thrust upon The Nations of the World is hereby formally declared; and the General Assembly is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the Allied Nations of the World and the ressources of the Governments to carry on war against the terrorist organisation The Storm; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the ressources are hereby pledged by the General Assembly.

WORLD ENGLISH only

SI N

ientific a d sc

Whereas the Terrorist Organisation The Storm has declared war against The Governments of the Nations of the World and their people: Therefore be it

Chairwoman of the General Assembly

sab

PERMANENT DELEGATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mrs. Mr.

SETTING A COURSE FOR UNIVERSAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

VIENNA路 2014

As delivered by the Delegation to the Emergency Session Vienna, 23 June 2014

The Permanent Delegation of the Scientific Advisory Board would like to thank the General Assembly for reacting quickly to the demands of the scientific community, to face the state of Global crisis under the threat of the Biological attack by the Organisation The Storm.

By adopting an action - and - result oriented approach, as stated in our report, we hope to reach a non-violent solution. One which will bring a new era of development and hope.

The development of the herbicide should, thus, be accompanied by a extense research on the possibilities of the genetically modified organism.

We deem the SAB (Scientific Advisory Board) report to be by far the most objective information available on The Storm Crisis. In the present situation, objective information is crucial.

Thus we ask that the SAB (Scientific Advisory Board) is given as wide an influence as possible.

office@sab.org

-

sab.org

-

PAGE:1/1

A/RES/01/1*

INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT

International Distr.: General

General Assembly

23 June 2014

Emergency session Agenda item 0

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 June 2014 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/01/L.1)] Mrs. Sharp introduced the following joint resolution, upon consensus, of the Global Representatives Present at the Ist International General Assembly Summit for a Sustainable World, 67/1. Declaration of the high-level emergency meeting of the General Assembly. “THE STORM�

JOINT RESOLUTION of the high-level emergency meeting of the General Assembly, We, Heads of State and Government, and heads of delegation in Vienna on 23 June 2014, The Parties to this Convention, Aware of the risk of damage to human health, our economies and the environment caused by the threat upon Humanity by The STORM, In our engagement to act united for our survival as a matter of urgency, We decide to accept the demands of The Storm, We stress the need for all Nations to cooperate to fulfill the Goals set, And thereby declare, I. We reaffirm our solemn commitment to enforce the End of Oil Extraction and Oil derivate production, and therefore, vigorously invest ourselves in developing new alternative sources of energy, II. We agree to put an End to industrialized meat production worldwide immediately, III. Seriously concerned about the devastating impact of disasters caused by the Resolution, we declare our will to pursue a vast cooperation among Nations, UNITED TO SURVIVE, --------------------------------Mrs. Sharp (Chairwoman)

101010/AA/DF01

---------------------------Signature

GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTS

0000001/F

Ultimatum

The earth is at the brink of destruction consumed every day causing a catastro and the water we drink. 140, 000 specie lost.

We demand a complete stop of oil prod and shutting down all oil fields.

For the sake of Mother Nature we dema production of meat. No more slaughter Brace yourself. A storm is coming and

We went too far and now it is time to p we caused. This is the last call for us to knows no mercy for the ones that tried blood. She gave us the breath of live an

n. Nearly 100.000 000 barrels of oil are ophic pollution to the air we breath es get extinct each year and are forever

duction by closing every oil platform

and an immediate stop of the so called ring of the innocent only because of after it, nothing will be the same.

pay for the destruction and mayhem change our faith. The breath of nature d to put here in shackles and drink here nd she will take it from us.

Scenography

GE

NER

A L ASS E M

BLY

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD 22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD

GE

NER

A L ASS E M

BLY

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD 22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD

GE

NER

A L ASS E M

BLY

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD 22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD

GE

NER

A L ASS E M

BLY

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD 22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

Ist INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

22-28 JUNE 2014 VIENNA

SUMMIT FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD

The Green Storm was performed at the Biosphere n+1 event on June 23, 2014 in Vienna, Austria.