Our Present, Icarus' Future: New Multimedia Artivism Campaign Launches at Climate Week NYC, Demanding World Leaders Deliver on Bold Climate Action

The campaign is a creative call for artists, students, families and communities to lend their voices and push for enforceable action leading up to COP30

NEW YORK and MIAMI, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The CLEO Institute, a women-led, nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to climate education, advocacy, and engagement, is launching Our Present, Icarus' Future at Climate Week NYC. Born from an exhibit presented at 2024 Miami Art Week, the campaign centers around a powerful retelling of the cautionary myth of Icarus – deaf to warnings and doomed by hubris – highlighting the potential impacts of decisions made today on our children and their future.

Using a unique blend of art and advocacy, the multimedia initiative pairs an emotionally captivating installation with the 'We Are Icarus' art contest and the Icarus Petition, seeking hundreds of thousands of supporters to demand climate action now.

"Our Present, Icarus' Future began as an artistic provocation during Miami Art Week," said Yoca Arditi-Rocha, CEO of The CLEO Institute. "Now we're turning that provocation into public pressure. The U.S. alone provides nearly $35 billion a year in subsidies to fossil-fuel companies undermining the global transition leaders will discuss at COP30. The choices leaders make in the next months will decide the world the children of today inherit. Unlike Icarus, our story isn't over – but we must take urgent action right now to avoid repeating his fate." 

"The CLEO Institute masterfully uses storytelling to reach massive audiences. Portraying Icarus as a child reminds us that this fight is for future generations. As a mother, I feel called to act, knowing that their lives will bear the cost if we don't take action now," said Thais Lopez Vogel, Trustee and Co-Founder of VoLo Foundation, a strategic partner of the campaign.

"We are so pleased that The CLEO Institute and the VoLo Foundation have chosen Climate Week NYC to launch Our Present, Icarus's Future. This activation is a leading example of how we can communicate with new audiences in different ways, and through their pledge, give people beyond NYC the chance to be a part of this mission," said Adam Lake, Head of Engagement for Climate Group North America. "This campaign seamlessly weds creativity, urgency and action — sparking critical conversations, inspiring tangible change, and reminding us that the time to act on climate is now."

Open from September 21 to October 31, the 'We Are Icarus' art contest invites artists to envision the future worth fighting for— resilient cities, clean energy solutions, and healthy thriving communities for children of today. Selected works will be featured across The CLEO Institute's social channels and the selected artist will receive a monetary prize and be highlighted as part of the Our Present, Icarus' Future campaign leading into COP30. Full rules and prize details on the contest page.

The Icarus Petition is a call for bold, meaningful climate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil. The petition invites individuals to lend their voices in support of youth, scientists, and communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis and calls upon the COP30 President, UN Secretary General, world leaders and nation delegates to adopt and ensure:

• Cutting planet-warming pollution: Implement an enforceable plan that cuts global emissions and scales solutions to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. 
• A global call to dismantle oil subsidies: Stop financing and incentivizing global-warming pollution from fossil fuel development
• Ending special interest lobbying: Ensure voices of those impacted most by our decisions are at the negotiating table, not billion-dollar corporations.

The submissions and signatures are intended to be delivered to world leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November.

Our Present, Icarus' Future campaign partners include VoLo Foundation, Climate Group and Climate Generation.

About The CLEO Institute

The CLEO Institute is a women-led, nonpartisan nonprofit turning climate science into action through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Florida-born and nationally recognized, CLEO has educated 62,000+ people, unlocked millions for local and state solutions, and is known for creative, award-winning campaigns. CLEO partners with government, business, academic, and community leaders to combat misinformation, mobilize civic power, and advance resilient climate policies.

About VoLo Foundation

VoLo Foundation is a private nonprofit Foundation with a mission to accelerate change and global impact by supporting science-based climate solutions, enhancing education, and improving health.

Press Contact: Sarah Stanley, [email protected] (202) 256-0456

SOURCE The CLEO Institute